Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has reacted to the news of his suspension from football-related activities, for breaching betting rules.
Daniel Sturridge’s four months ban and fine was confirmed on Monday 2nd March 2020, and it comes after he had originally been given a six-week ban last summer, four of them suspended, but the FA appealed against the findings of an independent commission.
An appeal board also doubled the 30-year-old’s fine to £150,000 from £75,000. It did not end there, his contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor was also terminated by mutual agreement earlier on Monday.
In a video posted on his YouTube account Sturridge reacting to ban for breaching the betting rules, said it had been “a crazy few days” after the “disappointing and upsetting” decision ended his season.
He added: “I just want to say it’s been a very long and drawn out process over the last couple of years and difficult to concentrate on my football.
“I’m going to continue to campaign for professional footballers to be able to speak to their families and close friends freely, without the real risk of being charged.
“I feel the betting companies and the practice and process of people placing bets on players moving clubs has to be stopped.”
He thanked Trabzonspor but added he felt “uncomfortable” continuing to receive wages from the club due to being unable to “contribute”.
Sturridge had faced various charges alleging he passed on inside information over a potential transfer in January 2018.
‘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,’ an FA statement said. ‘As a result, the Appeal Board has found proven two further charges which were originally dismissed.
‘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.’