Liverpool and England Striker, Daniel Sturridge Disciplined by the FA over Alleged Betting Offences
by Glenn Baird - November 15, 2018
Despite claiming to have “never gambled on football”, Daniel Sturridge has been charged by English Football’s governing body over allegations of betting offences.
The England star spent much of lasts season on loan at West Bromwich Albion as he recovered from a long-term injury and now sees himself back on the fringes of a Liverpool team that is riding high in the English Premier League.
The FA claim that Sturridge is in breach of “Rule E8(1)(a)(ii) and Rule E8(1)(b), during the period of January 2018”, which happens to be the point at which he signed the deal to join West Brom. Here as full descriptions of the rules, taken from the FA’s official site:
Rule E8(1)(a) – a participant shall not bet, either directly or indirectly, or instruct, permit, cause or enable any person to bet on – (i) the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in or in connection with, a football match or competition; or (ii) any other matter concerning or related to football anywhere in the world, including, for example and without limitation, the transfer of players, employment of managers, team selection or disciplinary matters.
Rule E8(1)(b) – where a participant provides to any other person any information relating to football which the participant has obtained by virtue of his or her position within the game and which is not publicly available at that time, the participant shall be in breach of this Rule where any of that information is used by that other person for, or in relation to, betting.
There has been no confirmation from the FA on what Strurridge is alleged to have done but the information we have does suggest that it has something to do with that loan move to West Brom, which at the time was a surprise as most expected him to spend those 6 months on loan at Newcastle.
A spokesperson for Liverpool has said: “Daniel has given his full and unequivocal cooperation throughout this process and has assured the club he will continue to do so. Daniel has also stated categorically that he has never gambled on football. As with any issue of this nature, we will allow the process to be concluded in its entirety before making any further comment.”
Sturridge has until November the 20th to lodge an appeal.