Betting on sporting events is one of the most lucrative markets around but the players themselves have certain rules to follow.
The FA introduced strict new rules on gambling before the 2014-15 season and several footballers have breached the guidelines since.
Tonali is now back playing for Newcastle after serving a suspension[/caption]
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali was served with a ten-month ban from football for his involvement in illegal betting in October 2023 and only just returned to action.
Former Brentford star Ivan Toney also served an eight-month suspension for breaching FA rules.
His ex-England teammate Kieran Trippier has already served a ten-week ban and £70,000 fine for telling a friend about his impending transfer to Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Andros Townsend, Daniel Sturridge and Joey Barton have also fallen foul of FA regulations during their careers but how? talkSPORT.com explains…
Can Premier League stars bet on football?
The short and simple answer is NO.
Any form of bet on football is banned worldwide by the FA for all players, managers, coaches, club staff, directors and licensed agents involved in all levels of the English game.
This includes the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship.
It also applies to the Northern, Southern and Isthmian leagues.
The exception to these rules are for participants at Step 5 or below in the National League system or for match officials operating below Level 4.
Trippier fell foul of the FA’s rules around betting[/caption]
The ban covers everything from active bets on matches and other football-related stakes such as transfers and managerial hiring/sackings.
Furthermore, it also prohibits insider trading as per the Trippier case to prevent bets being placed from information that was passed on.
The Newcastle star would have still been in breach even if he was unaware his information was used to place a bet.
Can Premier League stars bet on other sports?
Yes, they can.
As outlined by the PFA, players in England can gamble on any non-football-related betting markets.
But it does remind members to bet with caution as studies have shown professional athletes are more likely to develop problem habits.
