HARROGATE TOWN midfielder Warren Burrell has landed himself in hot water after posting a picture of his betting slip online.
The Football Association are investigating after Burrell published a screenshot on Saturday of his accumulator, which would have won more than £600 from a £30 stake had Sheffield Wednesday beaten Rotherham United in the Championship.
The accumulator also included bets on Middlesbrough, French outfit Dijon FC and a horse race from Wolverhampton.
Alongside the image, Burrell wrote on Twitter: “This is my bet that I let ride from last night….. Sheff Wednesday have had three disallowed goals.” The tweet, along with his account, have since been deleted.
Under new FA betting rules introduced in October 2014, people involved in the game from the Premier League down to Step 4 of Non-League are not allowed to bet on any football match from around the world.
Burrell, who re-signed with Harrogate from Buxton in January, has been serving a ban following his recent sending off against FC United of Manchester.
Harrogate managing director Garry Plant said: “Over the weekend a social media post was issued by one of our players which referred to a bet allegedly placed on results in football matches in the Championship and overseas as well as a related horse racing bet.
“The club and The FA Compliance Department have been quick to deal with the matter and the issue is now with The FA who will act accordingly. The breach of rules is now a matter between the player and The FA.
“The club takes this opportunity to further emphasise the strict FA rules around betting and that we do everything within our power to safeguard against any participant breaching the rule.”
The FA confirmed they were investigated and added: “These rules exist to help protect the integrity of football, and we are committed to preserving what is great about the beautiful game.
“Participants covered by the ban are prohibited from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world.”
It follows the news that week that East Thurrock United forward Lewis Smith was handed a 17-month suspension and fined £22,865 after being found guilty of 28 breaches of FA rule E8 – placing 21 successful bets and seven attempted bets.
A pretty stupid thing to do, but the ban on betting on any football match in the world is completely illegal and can’t be enforced. The FA have no more right to do that then they have to stop players from drinking alcohol. If they really wanted to help the integrity of the game they would do something about the officials which make blunder after blunder week in week out.