SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Jack Colback has been fined £25,000 after accepting an FA misconduct charge in relation to betting. The Newcastle midfielder breached FA Rule E8 by placing a bet on a fixture that took place on March 16.
While it was not a match involving his club, or in the division they were playing in at the time (Premier League), FA Rules prohibit those involved in the sport from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world.
The offence came just two days after Newcastle lost 1-0 at Leicester, and four days before they drew 1-1 with his former club Sunderland. Colback follows Joey Barton, Kyle Lafferty and Martin Demichelis as high-profile players to have been penalised under the regulations in 2016. The Rule E8 was brought in during the 2014/15 season.
Colback, who has played over 150 times in the Premier League for Sunderland and Newcastle, has been a regular under Rafael Benitez this season, making 11 appearances in the Championship. He missed his side’s shock home defeat to Blackburn on Saturday with an eye injury, but may be fit enough to return in tonight’s EFL Cup quarter final at Hull City.
