10 Football players banned for sports betting

Sports activities betting scandals proceed to rock soccer, with a number of high-profile gamers going through critical penalties for breaking playing guidelines.

The Soccer Affiliation’s laws are crystal clear: gamers can not wager on soccer matches, ask others to put bets for them, or share inside data that might give punters an unfair benefit.

These guidelines exist to guard the integrity of the gorgeous sport, however quite a few professionals have fallen foul of them through the years. From prolonged suspensions to hefty fines, the punishments have been extreme and career-damaging.

1. Ivan Toney – 8-Month Ban

England striker Ivan Toney was banned from soccer for lots of of betting breaches, leading to an eight-month suspension between Could 2023 and January 2024. The Brentford striker admitted to 232 breaches of FA betting guidelines, with offences dedicated between February 2017 and January 2021.

He was additionally fined £50,000 and overtly admitted to battling playing habit through the investigation. Toney’s case grew to become some of the critical in Premier League history, costing him his place in England’s World Cup squad and important earnings.

2. Sandro Tonali – 10-Month Ban

Newcastle United’s £55 million summer time signing obtained a 10-month ban from the Italian Soccer Federation in 2023. The previous AC Milan midfielder admitted to betting on his personal group profitable matches.

His unique three-year ban was diminished resulting from his cooperation with investigators. Tonali missed the rest of Newcastle’s 2023/24 marketing campaign and Italy’s Euro 2024 participation, although he was allowed to proceed coaching along with his membership.

3. Joey Barton – 18-Month Ban

The controversial midfielder obtained an 18-month ban in 2017 for putting 1,260 bets on soccer matches over a decade. Barton’s betting exercise spanned from 2006 to 2016, overlaying his time at Manchester Metropolis, Manchester United, QPR, Burnley, and Marseille.

He wager on 42 matches involving his personal groups, although he did not play in these video games. The ban was later diminished to 13 months on attraction however successfully ended his taking part in profession.

4. Daniel Sturridge – 4-Month Ban

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The previous England striker obtained a four-month worldwide ban in 2020 and was fined £150,000. Sturridge was discovered responsible of offering his brother with insider details about a possible transfer to Sevilla in 2018, which was then used for betting functions.

Though the switch by no means occurred, the FA dominated that sharing such data violated their laws. His Turkish membership Trabzonspor terminated his contract following the ban.

5. Kieran Trippier – 10-Week Ban

The Newcastle captain was banned for 10 weeks and fined £70,000 in 2020 for revealing his switch to Atletico Madrid in a WhatsApp group. One among his associates used this data to put profitable bets, despite the fact that Trippier wasn’t conscious of the betting exercise.

The England worldwide’s punishment highlighted how even harmless data sharing can result in critical penalties.

6. Harry Toffolo – 5-Month Suspended Ban

The Nottingham Forest defender was charged with 375 betting breaches between 2014 and 2017 whereas taking part in for Norwich Metropolis and varied mortgage golf equipment.

Toffolo obtained a suspended five-month ban and was fined practically £21,000 after admitting to the offences. His case demonstrated how lower-league gamers are additionally topic to the identical strict guidelines.

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7. Andros Townsend – 4-Month Ban (Lowered to 1 Month)

The previous England winger was initially banned for 4 months and fined £18,000 in 2013 for betting violations whereas at Tottenham. His ban was diminished to 1 month resulting from his cooperation and dedication to addressing his playing points.

Townsend voluntarily withdrew from England Below-21 obligation and underwent remedy for playing issues.

8. Wayne Shaw – 8-Week Ban

The previous Sutton United goalkeeper grew to become well-known for consuming a pie throughout their FA Cup match towards Arsenal in 2017 however was banned for deliberately influencing betting markets. Shaw was discovered responsible of betting-related offences and obtained an eight-week ban plus a £375 high-quality.

His case confirmed how even non-league gamers face critical penalties for breaking betting guidelines.

9. Lucas Paqueta – Ongoing Case

West Ham’s Brazilian midfielder faces probably the most critical costs but, with the FA in search of a lifetime ban.

Studies recommend that round 60 people in Brazil wagered quantities between £7 and £400 on him getting carded in these video games, resulting in complete winnings of £100,000. Paqueta denies all wrongdoing, and his three-week listening to started in March 2025.

The case includes allegations of intentionally in search of yellow playing cards to affect betting markets.

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10. Martin Demichelis – £22,000 Superb

The previous Manchester Metropolis defender was fined £22,000 for putting 29 bets over three weeks in 2016. Not like others on this record, Demichelis averted a ban and obtained solely a proper warning.

The FA famous that he could not have influenced any of the matches he wager on, which possible contributed to his lighter punishment.