Sky's the Limit for Rooney Market at Betfair

BETFAIR'S "Will Rooney Play?" market was thrown into disarray today after a Sky Sports News announcement revealed that results from a recent scan meant Rooney would not be able to resume training for six weeks.On hearing the news, the price on Rooney playing in the World Cup shot out to a high of 20.0 (19-1) (to small money), with larger sums matched at various prices out to 6.0 (5-1).The presenter later sought to correct any confusion, stating that the six week estimate was from the time the injury occurred, meaning Rooney could conceivably play in two weeks. After the correction, the price plummeted again. Rooney is currently reckoned to have a 57% chance of playing in the World Cup according to the Betfair market. He is 1.75 (8-11) to play and 2.2 (6-5) not to play.Betfair spokesman Jack Houghton said: "It's amazing how quickly Betfair markets react to new information. Whether it's transfer announcements in football or the latest news from the Big Brother House - the price movements are instant. It goes without saying that sometimes that information might not be completely reliable and it is the job of customers to assess that. To many, that's part of the fun of Betfair."This is not the first time that Betfair customers have reacted to less-than-accurate information. In the 2003 Madeira Island Open Golf Tournament, the price on joint overnight leader, Barry Dredge, shot out to 500 (499-1) after the European Tour website incorrectly posted a 30 for Dredge's opening hole of the third-round, when in fact he'd scored a birdie 3.