So, before we dig into the details, we will give you the gist. The FA rules apply to everyone privileged enough to be working or involved in football. From the players and managers to the match officials and club staff. Basically, anyone who is connected to football or a football club in the top eight tiers of the English game is strictly forbidden to place any wagers on any football games worldwide. Period.
Keep the Game Special
From the start of the 2014-15 season, the FA has introduced a complete ban on betting on football. The rule applies to football players betting, as well as managers, club employees or match officials. They are not allowed to place any bet on any football matter. This covers any match or competition, not just for domestic matches in England but anywhere in the world. It means that bets on scores and results, or any other event that takes place in any match or competition are completely forbidden.
It also prohibits betting on any football matter worldwide, for example, who the next manager of a Serie A team will be or which teams will be relegated at the end of the La Liga season. This might seem a bit too excessive and over the top to some, but it is necessary, with the intent to protect the integrity and future of the beautiful game. Besides the strictly “no betting” policy, the FA ‘betting’ rules also condemn leaks of information, bribes and betting commercials.
Inside Information
Inside information is the knowledge that you have gained because of your job and position and which is not publicly available. For instance, this may be injury or team selection news, or perhaps a transfer that’s taking place, but it is yet to be made public. This kind of information is extremely valuable and confidential, and players are absolutely forbidden to discuss it, even with their family and friends. If such information has been leaked and others use it for personal gains, the person who has spread the inside knowledge could be in big trouble.
The misuse of inside information is unacceptable, regardless of the situation, and constitutes a breach of the FA Rules. Players (and any other football-related staff) are not allowed to use this information to place a bet or instruct someone else to do so. There may also be a breach of the betting rules for football players if they pass inside information to anyone else, even if they didn’t know they are going to take advantage of it and use it for a bet. There are many ways in which players may be considered to have passed on inside information, such as word of mouth, email, writing, or even social media postings.
Match Fixing
Match fixing is arranging in advance the outcome of a match or competition, or events within the match or competition, usually to make money through betting. Sports betting is a multi-billion pound industry and criminals are prepared to go to great lengths to try and fix football games and events within the games. This is not only in violation of the FA rules, but it is also a criminal offence. Offering or accepting any bribes related in any way to improperly influencing the result or conduct of a match or competition or any event within a match or competition are absolutely prohibited and treated very seriously by the FA.
Without a doubt match-fixing is the biggest threat to the integrity of the beautiful game. If someone is approached or suspects someone else who has been approached or is involved with it, they must report it to the FA immediately. Failure to report any such offers may result in an FA charge and suspension. The police also have the authority to arrest those involved in match-fixing, which may lead to criminal prosecutions and the possibility of a lengthy prison term or fine.
Commercials
Anyone who is directly connected with football, when acting in a personal capacity, is also prohibited from participating in any advertisement or promotion of any betting activity. When acting in any capacity, an individual participant shall not deliberately participate in the production of audio, or audio-video content, where the conduct or words of the participant could be considered to be actively encouraging the engagement in betting activities. The football clubs are obligated not to instruct, compel, permit, cause or enable any staff member to be in breach of the rules in any way. Well, this makes sense. If the players (and managers, and club staff, and match officials) are not allowed to bet on football games, they shouldn’t be the ones who promote betting activities and encourage people to place bets.
It’s Serious Stuff
Think you won’t get caught? Think again. The Football Association, the Gambling Commission and the betting companies have installed sophisticated systems to monitor and detect breaches of the betting rules. If someone violates those restrictions, it is very likely to get caught and receive an FA charge. If found guilty, this will lead to financial penalties, bans or even termination of the contract.
But that’s not all. It’s almost impossible that the person who committed the forbidden action and the crime itself won’t be made public. And we all know what the media can do. Spreading the scandal and making it look even bigger can cause a lot of problems, both legally and socially for everyone involved. Reputations will be ruined and careers which might have been promising would be destroyed.
Famous Suspensions
Whatever the reason, there are numerous stories of footballers with betting problems. Some stories get covered under the rug quickly, while others turn into massive scandals, where the players are on the receiving end of hefty fines, long-term banns and reputation collapse.
Joey Barton, who has played for Manchester City, Newcastle and Burnley, and has a total of 386 appearances as a professional, was charged with breaking the FA rules relating to gambling on football matches in October 2016. In a scandalous interview in 2018, he claimed that at least half of all footballers are breaking the FA betting rules one way or another. Barton was banned from any football activities for 18 months after the football player admitted he had been betting on football games.
“I think, and I’m being conservative, I think 50% of the playing staff would be taken out, because it’s culturally ingrained…I had to be sanctioned, because I stepped out of the boundaries of the rules. So there’s no doubt about it, but the FA think I’m the only footballer who has ever bet on football ever. But the reality of it says that that is not the case. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
Some of the other high-profile football players who have been caught breaking the FA rules include Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Cameron Jerome (Stoke City), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Matt Le Tissier (Southampton) and more. The FA has investigated all of them for breaching betting regulations. Charges in the range of £15,000 – £50,000 might seem nothing to the players who earn millions every year, but the stricter punishment is the tarnished reputation, which can lead to contract termination and career downfalls.
Final Words
We all know that football and betting go hand in hand. Betting can make any game more exciting and the sports betting industry is a multi-billion pound business. But just leave sports betting to the fans. The internet is filled with online sport betting companies which provide great odds and plenty of bonuses. And most importantly are legal and you won’t lose your job because of a bet you’ve made. As for the people involved in football, we certainly hope that you take the regulations seriously and comply with the FA betting rules.
If you really feel the desire to make a bet, why not make a bet on roulette or a blackjack table? Believe us, the thrill is worth it! In case you don’t know which online gambling provider to trust, then check out our article about the best new casino sites in the UK for 2024. In the end, we, as fans, want more than anything to know that everything in football is fair and not corrupt or fixed. Ultimately, the primary purpose of the FA rules is precisely that – to protect the integrity and the future of the beautiful game.
Frequently Asked Questions about FA Betting Rules
Since we are sure many of you would like to have the information synthesised and easily accessible, we created the following section. In it, you can find the most common queries that readers had related to the FA betting rules and how they are applied.
