Daniel Sturridge has been hit with a worldwide ban until the end of
the season after the Football Association (FA) successfully appealed
against an original ruling over his breach of betting regulations.
Former Liverpool striker Sturridge was originally hit with an
effective playing ban of two weeks and fined £75,000 last July after a
Regulatory Commission deemed he had provided inside information to his
brother Leon over a possible transfer to LaLiga side Sevilla, which
failed to come to fruition.
The FA launched a challenge against that ruling as the body felt it was too lenient a punishment.
An independent Appeal Board has upheld the appeal, after finding the
commission misapplied FA rules and proved two further charges against
Sturridge that had originally been dismissed.
Consequently, Sturridge – who was released by Turkish side
Trabzonspor on Monday – has been banned from all football-related
activity until June 17 and had his fine doubled to £150,000.
Daniel Sturridge has been suspended from all football and football-related activity from today until the end of 17 June 2020. Full statement: https://t.co/kwMosOgrNY. pic.twitter.com/7kMRfkQHxZ
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) March 2, 2020
“Daniel Sturridge has been suspended from all football and
football-related activity from today until the end of 17 June 2020,” an
FA statement read.
“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.”
Earlier on Monday, it was confirmed Sturridge was leaving his
three-year deal with Trabzonspor less than seven months after moving to
Turkey following his release from Liverpool, where he spent six years.
Sturridge has eight goals in 26 England appearances.
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