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Manchester City’s Martín Demichelis charged with misconduct over betting Manchester City’s Martín Demichelis charged with misconduct over betting
(about 1 hour later)
The Manchester City defender Martín Demichelis has been charged with misconduct in relation to betting by the Football Association. Manchester City’s Martin Demichelis has been charged by the Football Association over alleged betting offences in January.
An FA statement read: “It is alleged the player committed 12 breaches of FA Rule E8 concerning football matches between 22 January 2016 and 28 January 2016. He has until 5pm on 5 April 2016 to respond to the charge.” The 35-year-old Argentina defender, who recently hinted he is ready to retire from international football, is accused of 12 breaches relating to football matches between 22-28 January this year, and has until 5 April to respond.
A worldwide ban on betting on football for all those involved in the game came into force on 1 August, 2014. There is no suggestion that the charge relates to any of the games Demichelis has featured in this season, and an FA spokesman indicated the player is only accused of inappropriate betting activity, not match-fixing.
Rule E8 states: “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, 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.” Related: Football transfer rumours: Paul Pogba to Manchester City?
Players are also banned from knowingly providing inside information to any other person for the purpose of betting and from promoting betting activity. Since 2014 rules have been in force to prevent any professional player or coach betting on any worldwide football activity and Demichelis appears to have fallen foul of this umbrella ban, possibly placing bets on overseas games.
City do not intend to comment on the matter until the player has responded to the charge and any disciplinary procedures have been put in motion, but the expectation is that Demichelis might be hit with a fine, if found guilty, rather than a more draconian suspension.
The FA has the power to fine or suspend the player, though the latter course would be unusual if the trangression is merely breaking betting rules rather than attempting to influence the outcome of matches.
“The bottom line nowadays is that no footballer can bet on football matches anywhere,” the FA spokesman said.
Demichelis must respond to the charge by 5pm on Tuesday, though a decision on his case, and any possible sanction, will not be announced until later.