Can Football Players Bet On Football?

Can football players bet on football is a question we often get asked – and the answer is NO!

Of course, we’re talking about professional footballers being unable to bet on football, so you don’t have to worry if you play amateur Sunday afternoon football, as having a flutter on the football is okay for you.

Measures Taken By The FA

The FA is the governing body of the English Premier League and many of the other professional football league in the United Kingdom, and it has put in place measures that make it illegal for professional footballers to bet on any football matches around the world. These measures also apply to everyone else involved at professional football clubs, including the manager, club staff, and the match officials.

The ban on football betting also includes any other football-related betting markets, such as manager appointments, player transfers, or any team or squad selections.

This worldwide ban on football betting for professional footballers extends to all Premier League clubs, English Football League clubs, and National League clubs. It also includes the FA Women’s Super League, Championship clubs, and the Southern, Northern, and Isthmian leagues.

Can Footballers Pass On Inside Information?

Professional football players also can’t pass on inside information (information that is not available to the public) to other parties to be used for the purpose of betting on football. For example, footballers can’t seek to profit from selling information about team selections, or injuries, or transfers. Passing on inside information includes, but is not limited to, word of mouth, email, written correspondence, or social media.

Football players are also banned from instructing other parties to place bets on their behalf. Players may even be held in breach of the rules if they pass information to someone, even without any intent to profit from it, if that person then uses that information to place a bet.

Match Fixing

There have been several scandals about professional footballers fixing matches, which means they have arranged in advance to directly affect the result of a match so that someone can profit from that result. These scandals have implicated many professional players, who are believed to have received bungs for their parts in the match fixing.

Match fixing is now prohibited by the FA and is treated extremely seriously. Any players or match officials found guilty of match fixing will face an FA charge, the result of which will either be a lengthy suspension or a lifetime ban from the game.

How Does The FA Monitor Match Fixing?

The FA is so serious about abolishing match fixing and the passing of inside information for betting purposes, that it has a variety of sophisticated systems in place to track and trace any possible breaches in its rules.

These systems flag and unusual issues or patterns in betting markets where someone seems to have profited to unreasonable amounts.

If a players or other official falls under suspicion of profiting from football betting, the FA has the right to ask those under suspicion to provide records such as betting account statements, bank statements, and phone bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can footballers bet on football?

No, professional footballers are not allowed to bet on football. This prohibition is set by the Football Association (FA) and applies to all professional players across leagues, including the Premier League and English Football League. It extends to betting on any football match or competition globally, as well as any football-related matter such as transfers or team selection.

Are footballers allowed to bet on other sports?

While professional footballers are restricted from betting on football, they are generally permitted to bet on other sports. However, they must still adhere to general betting regulations and are advised not to bet on sports where they might possess inside information which could influence betting outcomes.

Why can’t footballers bet on football?

The main reason footballers are prohibited from betting on football is to maintain the integrity of the sport. This includes preventing match-fixing and the misuse of inside information. The FA has implemented strict regulations to ensure that the sport remains fair and competitive, and that all outcomes are based on the performance on the pitch rather than external influences.

What are the consequences for footballers who bet on football?

Footballers who violate betting rules may face severe penalties, including fines, suspension, or even lifetime bans from the sport. The FA actively monitors betting activities and has systems in place to detect and investigate any suspicious betting patterns or rule breaches.