By Sheridan Robins
THE Football Association has issued a reminder to players and club officials at Steps 5 to 7 of the National League System that they are not allowed to bet on competitions they are involved in.
The move follows a spike in referrals from betting companies identifying individuals at these levels betting on FA Vase matches.
While there is no suggestion of any attempts to fix matches, the fact betting companies are offering an ever-expanding football market has led to the game’s governing body issuing a timely reminder.
Players and club officials at Steps 5 to 7 fall outside the FA’s worldwide betting ban which came into force on August 1 2014.
Instead, they are prohibited from betting, either directly or indirectly, on a match or competition in which they are involved or could influence. The using or passing on of inside information for betting is also banned.
Jenni Kennedy, the FA’s Head of Integrity, said: “Whilst it may seem a novelty for players and officials at Steps 5 to 7 to bet on their team when betting companies rarely offer the opportunity to do so, it remains a breach of FA rules and could lead to disciplinary proceedings being taken.
“This rule is in place to protect the integrity of the game and to prevent any allegations of wrongdoing. We take this opportunity to remind all players and club officials to take note of this advice.”
The FA works in partnership with the Gambling Commission and the betting operators to identify individuals who breach football and betting rules.
Meanwhile, Morpeth Town have been granted a place in the FA Vase third round after their opponents 1874 Northwich withdrew from the competition.
The decision came after an appeal by 1874 to play their rearranged second round tie yesterday was rejected by the FA.
Originally, the match was set to be played at Morpeth last Saturday but was postponed due to the poor weather.
Appeal
Unable to assemble a team for the 380-mile round-trip, the North West Counties Premier side did not travel for the match on Wednesday. Northern League Division one side Morpeth will now travel to South Shields on December 12.
Chairman of 1874 Northwich, Paul Stockton, told The NLP: “This is in no way a criticism of anyone at Morpeth Town or the FA.
“But I will say that we are extremely disappointed with the decision we have had to make, and we had hoped that Morpeth Town would have supported our appeal.
“We felt a midweek trip of 193 miles were exceptional circumstances to try and change the tie. Even including some of our U21 side, we were only able to get eight players together.
“All of our players have full-time jobs and were unable to commit to the travelling, and it would not have been a competitive match. If the boot had been on the other foot, we would have supported them.”
Morpeth Town were not willing to discuss the decision when contacted by The NLP but club secretary David McMeekan did say: “The Cup Committee made a decision.”
A spokesman for the FA said: “A midweek replay date had been agreed between both clubs should the first match be drawn and a replay was required, which would have meant Morpeth Town travelling to 1874 Northwich midweek.
“Based on the written submissions from 1874 Northwich to request the game be rescheduled, these reasons were considered by The FA Vase Committee, however, the decision was made that the match must be played on Wednesday 25th November and is final.”
