The English football association FA has justified its ten-week ban on national player Kieran Trippier – and published spicy WhatsApp conversations between the player and several friends.
The 30-year-old was banned worldwide for ten weeks in December for allegedly violating the FA’s betting regulations for players and coaches. FIFA initially suspended the sentence. The recently published chat histories put Trippier under a lot of pressure.
Specifically, Trippier is accused of having passed on inside information about his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Altético to third parties who were able to use it to their advantage. However, this is strictly prohibited for the players. Trippier had been found guilty on four of seven counts.
A friend asked Trippier via WhatsApp if he should bet on moving to Madrid. “You can do it,” was Trippier’s reply. The player himself had provided his smartphone for the FA Commission’s investigation. At a hearing, he said he was just messing with his buddy.
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In another chat conversation with a friend, Trippier even spoke about the negotiations that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is said to have led. As the change approached, Trippier said in a WhatsApp group: “The deal is done.”
A total of three friends bet amounts between £ 20 and £ 300 on the upcoming transfer. Higher sums of money were not possible because the bets were restricted by the bookmakers.
In an earlier conversation in December, friends Trippier had announced that the rate for a move to Madrid was 6/1.
The England star signed with Atlético Madrid for three years in the summer. A FIFA Appeals Committee must now decide on the facts.
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