SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Football Association (FA) has charged Leeds United midfielder Jordan Stevens after the player was found to be in breach of the governing body’s regulations on betting.
The player was found to be in breach of the FA Rule E8, after placing 59 bets placed by the midfielder during the 2018/19 season according to an FA spokesperson.
FA E8 rules on betting conduct, prohibit FA registered athletes, match officials, club management, stewards and representatives from wagering directly-or-indirectly on football matches of any level.Leeds United has since confirmed that Stevens has been ‘fully cooperative’ with the FA, having accepted the charge.
A club statement said: “We acknowledge the charge from the FA regarding Jordan Stevens and a breach of betting regulations.
“Jordan has been fully cooperative with the club and the authorities since the incident was brought to our attention and we can confirm that he will accept the charge.
“The player fully understands he has made an error and whilst we are aware that there may be consequences for his actions, we must also remember that Jordan is a 19-year-old man yet to cement his place as a first team footballer and we believe that educating young players around the various pitfalls which present themselves at this stage of their career is of the utmost importance.
“Therefore we are committed to standing by and supporting all of our young professionals, including Jordan Stevens.”
Stevens, who has been told that he has until next Thursday to issue a response to the allegations, is not the only player to be charged by the FA this year. Just this year, both Paul Scholes and Daniel Sturridge have also been issued with charges from the football governing body over similar betting infractions.
Scholes’ charges related to an accusation that the former Manchester United and England midfielder placed 140 bets on football matches between 17 August 2015 and 12 January 2019.
Daniel Sturridge, meanwhile, was handed a £75,000 fine and six week suspension from football, after he was found guilty of breaching betting rules.
