Football Federation Australia (FFA) has sanctioned a Tasmanian registered player for betting on a number of football matches, in breach of the FFA National Code of Conduct.
The breaches included betting on matches involving his own team, as well as matches in other leagues including the National Premier League Tasmania and Victoria.
FFA has issued a sanction of a $5,000 fine payable now and an immediate two (2) match suspension. The sanction also includes a further suspended $5,000 fine and 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 contrition and cooperation with FFA’s investigation.
FFA CEO David Gallop said that the matter was a further reminder of the role all participants play in protecting the integrity of football at all levels.
“FFA’s National Code of Conduct prohibits all registered players, coaches, referees and club officials from betting on football matches in Australia. This is an important integrity measure for the game and supports the FIFA framework which prohibits registered participants from betting on football matches worldwide,” Gallop said.
“There is an increased risk that football’s integrity will be compromised when bets are placed on matches that a participant is directly involved in. FFA is committed to protecting the integrity of the game and this sends a clear message that FFA will respond appropriately to those who choose to put the game’s reputation at risk.”
“FFA, with its integrity partner, Sportradar, has recently expanded the coverage of matches that Sportradar monitors betting on using its Fraud Detection System (FDS). The FDS now monitors more football competitions within the states to complement its existing monitoring of NPL competitions across the country. This is an important tool, among others, that FFA relies on to detect and respond to integrity threats in our game.”
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.
