FA imposes worldwide ban on betting for English players

English Football Association, The FA, has ratified a worldwide ban on betting for certain participants in English football at its 11th AGM held at Wembley Stadium today (Wednesday).

The Football Association is the governing body of English football, The FA Cup and the England team.

The ban affects all those involved in the game of football at Premier League, Football League and Football Conference levels, as well as the top two divisions in each of the Northern, Southern and Isthmian leagues.

Participants covered by the ban will be prohibited from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world.

The changes to FA Rules from the start of the 2014/15 season will also effect a worldwide prohibition on betting on any other football-related matter such as the transfer of players, employment of managers or team selection. The passing of inside information to somebody that uses the information for betting remains prohibited.

Following consultation with the game’s stakeholders, the prohibition had previously received a unanimous recommendation by The FA Council in April 2014 and The Football Regulatory Authority in March 2014.

Currently, FA Rules state that no participant can bet on a match or competition in which they are involved that season, or which they can influence, or any other football-related matter concerning the league that they
play in.

They also prohibit participants from using or passing inside information for betting.

These existing prohibitions will remain after 1 August 2014 in respect of participants involved in the game below Step 4 of the National League System.

These are the only participants who will not be subject to the worldwide ban, The FA said.