5 famous footballers banned for betting: Where all five became Premier League stars

Behind the glamour of professional football lies a rigid legal framework designed to prevent match-fixing and the use of privileged information. For decades, authorities have monitored players to ensure that those with inside knowledge do not influence the gambling markets, yet several high-profile individuals have succumbed to the temptation.

From seasoned Premier League veterans to rising international stars, the history of the sport is scarred by disciplinary actions that have sidelined talent for months or even years. By examining the disciplinary archives and official statements on nowgoalmobile, we can finally break down the specific cases and identify the definitive list of footballers banned for betting.

5 notable footballers banned for betting

5. Joey Barton

Possessing a reputation as one of the most controversial figures in English football, the veteran midfielder received the longest ban for gambling in the sport's history in 2017. Following an extensive investigation, it was revealed that he had placed 1,260 bets on football matches over a ten-year period between 2006-2016, including some games in which he participated.

The FA originally handed down an 18-month suspension, which effectively ended his professional playing career at Burnley. This case remains a landmark because it exposed the sheer scale of gambling addiction that can exist within the professional ranks.

4. Daniel Sturridge

Representing a different facet of betting violations, the former Liverpool and England striker was sanctioned in 2019 for breaching "inside information" rules. At the time, he was playing for Trabzonspor in Turkey, who terminated his contract in response to his ban.

The investigation found that he had instructed his brother to bet on his potential transfer to Sevilla during the January 2018 window. Although the move never materialized, the act of sharing privileged information led to a global four-month ban from all footballing activity and a heavy fine. His case serves as the primary example for players regarding the dangers of discussing career moves with family members or friends who gamble. 

3. Kieran Trippier

Solidifying the FA's stance on information sharing, the England international was handed a 10-week worldwide ban in December 2020. Similar to the Sturridge case, the right-back was found guilty of providing information to friends regarding his 2019 transfer from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid.

Despite his appeals, FIFA upheld the suspension, forcing him to miss a significant portion of the 2020/21 season in Spain. This incident was a crucial moment in modern football, proving that even indirect involvement in betting activities can result in a career-stalling suspension.

2. Ivan Toney

Emerging as a vital attacking force for Brentford, the striker's career was halted in May 2023 after he admitted to 232 breaches of the FA's betting rules. The violations occurred over a four-year period between 2017-2021, during which he placed bets on his own team to lose, although he was not playing in those specific matches.

The FA sanctioned him with an eight-month ban, keeping him out of action until January 2024. His return to the pitch was one of the most watched storylines of the 2023/24 season, highlighting the difficult path to redemption after a gambling scandal. Although being outside football for almost the season, Toney was still named in England national team squad for Euro 2024.

1. Sandro Tonali

Holding the undisputed crown for the most high-profile gambling suspension in the modern era, the Italian midfielder was banned for 10 months in October 2023. Just months after his record-breaking move to Newcastle United, it was revealed that he had placed illegal bets on matches involving his former clubs, Brescia and AC Milan.

Beyond the sporting ban, he was required to undergo an eight-month therapeutic program for gambling addiction. His absence throughout the 2023/24 campaign and his subsequent return to elite competition in 2025 remain the definitive lessons on the severe personal and professional costs of betting in football.

5 notable footballers banned for betting:

1. Sandro Tonali

2. Ivan Toney

3. Kieran Trippier

4. Daniel Sturridge

5. Joey Barton

The severe sanctions handed to these elite athletes prove that the authorities will go to any length to protect the purity of the sport. This historical analysis of footballers banned for betting shows that the line between a professional career and a long-term suspension is incredibly thin when gambling is involved.

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