Three non-league footballers and one manager have been charged by the FA (Football Association) for breaching gambling rules, following on from Sandro Tonali’s high profile 10-month global ban.
FA Clamp Down On Gambling Misconduct
The topic of footballers breaching gambling rules and regulations has dominated headlines in recent weeks, with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali being handed a 10-month worldwide ban from playing after placing illegal bets.
This came following an investigation in Italy, where Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus, and Nicolo Zaniolo of Aston Villa were investigated alongside Tonali, with Fagioli also being handed a seven-month ban.
Amid this latest saga of gambling breaches within football, it seems that the Football Association (FA) are clamping down on the activity in England, with three non-league footballers and one manager being charged with breaching betting rules throughout the month of October.
Lee Tomlin of Harborough Town, who played in the English Football League as recently as last season for Doncaster Rovers, was charged with betting 220 times between 21st November 2010, and 11th February 2023, however he has denied the charges and is set to fight his case through a personal hearing.
David Northfield, joint-manager of Southern League Division One Central side Biggleswade, was charged with misconduct under FA Rule E1 (b) in relation to bets placed between 5th January 2018 and 4th August 2023, and was handed a £750 fine.
Liam Dolman of National League North side Tamworth FC is alleged to have bet 1,666 times between 22nd December 2018 and 11th February 2023, however he is yet to respond to the charges.
The final player to have been charged in October, who has received the harshest punishment, is Belper Town FC midfielder Curtis Burrows. The Englishman was found to have placed 1,005 bets on football matches between 13th March 2015 and 10th June 2023, in breach of FA Rule E8, which has earned him a three month suspension from playing, along with a £200 fine.
