Sports
Daniel Sturridge Handed World Wide Ban From Football Until June
The former Liverpool striker has been handed a world wide ban from football until the end of June 2020
after a regulatory commission ruled that he had provided his brother with information to bet on his
possible Sevilla transfer in January 2018, which he was initially fined 75,000 pounds with a week ban.
The FA sees the decision as lenient and then lodged an appeal, which an independent appeal board
has now found that the regulatory commission misapplied the FA’s rules and found proven two further
charge against the striker which was previously dismissed.
“Daniel Sturridge has been suspended from all football and football-related activity from today until
the end of 17 June 2020,” said an FA statement on Monday.
“Following an appeal by the FA of the previous findings of the independent
regulatory commission in this case, an independent appeal board has found
that the regulatory commission misapplied the FA’s rules in relation to
the use of inside information and made findings of fact which could
not be sustained.
“As a result, the appeal board has found proven two further charges
which were originally dismissed. Other factual findings of the
regulatory commission were left undisturbed.
“In relation to the sanction, the appeal board agreed with
the FA that the penalty originally imposed on Mr Sturridge was
unduly lenient and therefore increased his effective playing ban
from two weeks to four months. The appeal board also doubled the
fine to £150,000.
“FIFA has confirmed that the suspension will be of worldwide effect.”
The 30 year old striker has terminated his contract with the Turkish side Tranbzonspor on Monday morning
came as a surprise as he signed a three year deal as he joins the Turkish team in summer, he has scored 7 goals
in 13 appearance for the club after his departure from Anfield.
“The professional footballer contract signed between our company and our
professional footballer Daniel Andre Sturridge, dated 21.08.2019 and
ending 31.05.2021 has been mutually terminated,” a Trabzonspor statement read.
“In accordance with the termination agreement,
the football player gave up all his forward-looking rights and receivables.”
The 30 year old Striker said in a video posted on his YouTube channel:
“I just wanted to say it’s been a very long, drawn out process over
the last couple of years and [it’s been] difficult to concentrate
on my football, and it’s also been a crazy few days, to be fair”
“I just want to say that I’m going to continue to campaign
for professional footballers to be able to speak to their family and friends
freely without the real risk of being charged.
“I feel it’s the betting companies and the practice and the process of
people being able to place bets on players moving clubs has to be stopped.
“Although the appeal panel had recognized that I hadn’t bet, nobody else had bet, I was still charged, so it was very disappointing and upsetting for me to hear the news that the appeal panel had overturned the original, highly-qualified panel’s ruling.
“And with that being said, [it’s] devastating for me and I’m absolutely gutted
about it, but my season’s over.
“I’m devastated, I feel uncomfortable and I just don’t think it’s the right thing
for me to continue accepting wages from a team that I can’t contribute due to
being banned.
“I have come to a mutual agreement with Trabzonspor to mutually terminate
my contract. I would just like to thank the Trabzonspor family,
from the players to the fans, the coaching staff, medical team,
the president and the vice-president as well. I’m very grateful for
you welcoming me into your city and allowing me to enjoy my football.
“Also I want to thank everyone who is supporting me and sending me so
many wishes and messages. It’s very much appreciated, obviously it’s a
difficult time for me so I appreciate that and I’m very grateful,
so thank you very much.”
Contact: info@royalnews.com.ng
