Football Federation Australia (FFA) has sanctioned a Tasmanian registered player for betting on football matches, in breach of the FFA National Code of Conduct.
The breaches included betting on a match involving his own National Premier Leagues (NPL) club, as well as other NPL matches and A-League matches.
FFA has determined a sanction of a $2,000 fine payable now and an immediate two (2) match suspension. It also includes a further suspended two (2) match suspension, to be triggered immediately in the event of another breach of the Code of Conduct.
In determining the sanction, FFA took into account the participant's immediate and ongoing cooperation with FFA’s investigation.
FFA CEO David Gallop said the latest Code of Conduct breach was another reminder to registered football participants that they are not permitted to bet on football matches.
“The integrity of football is important and under FIFA statutes registered players, coaches, referees and club officials are not allowed to bet on football matches anywhere in the world,” Gallop said.
“The FFA National Code of Conduct is the safeguard that protects football and reflects the FIFA statutes. These statutes do not differentiate between placing bets on your own local club or an overseas professional team but there’s a much higher integrity risk when bets are placed on matches where the participant has a direct connection.”
Football Federation Tasmania (FFT) CEO Mike Palmer supported FFA’s efforts to raise awareness of this issue.
“All registered participants are subject to the National Code of Conduct and the prohibition on betting is very clear. This serves once again as a timely reminder for our football community about this issue.
“Football Federation Tasmania supports the sanctions issued and will work with NPL clubs, as we have done previously, to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities.”
The participant has a right of appeal under the Code of Conduct to FFA’s independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
The FFA National Code of Conduct contains the following prohibition;
BETTING, MATCH-FIXING AND CORRUPTION
4.1 A Member must not engage, directly or indirectly, in:
(a) any bet, wager, gamble or any other form of financial speculation where the relevant person stands to win or gain from the win, draw or loss of any Club competing in a Match;
(b) the throwing or fixing of a Match; or
(c) any conduct or behaviour intended to unfairly affect the result of a Match, including accepting or agreeing to accept any Benefit connected with or relating to the ability of a Member to exercise control over or influence the outcome of a Match so as to bring about a result other than that which would be achieved in a fair contest between the competing teams.
The full National Code of Conduct can be viewed at: www.footballaustralia.com.au/about/statutes-and-regulations