Dylan Duffy, an Ireland U21 international and Lincoln City FC player, has been charged by the FA for betting offences committed during the 2023/2024 season, in breach of FA Rule E8. Duffy admitted to 30 betting offences, some of which involved his own club, Lincoln City FC.
As a result, the FA imposed a £4,000 financial penalty, with half of the fine (£2,000) suspended for 12 months. The FA cited Duffy's cooperation and early admission as mitigating factors in the case. No sporting sanction was applied, as the FA deemed Duffy's actions to have had minimal impact on the integrity of the game.
The breakdown of the bets falls into three categories, ranging from serious to less serious:
- 24 Category 1 bets: On football matches not involving his club.
- 4 Category 2 bets: On competitions involving his club, but not specific matches.
- 2 Category 3 bets: Bets on his own team to win, placed by another person, not Duffy himself.
An independent Regulatory Commission has fined and warned Lincoln City’s Dylan Duffy for breaches of The FA’s betting rules.
Full statement: https://t.co/QfriAcBgCq pic.twitter.com/OzY1vYfBnz
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) September 26, 2024
An FA statement read:"An independent Regulatory Commission has fined and warned Lincoln City’s Dylan Duffy for breaches of The FA’s betting rules. The forward admitted that he placed 30 bets on football matches between 18 August 2023 and 23 April 2024. The Regulatory Commission subsequently imposed a £4,000 fine, with £2,000 suspended for 12 months, and a warning."
Lincoln City responded to the charges, stating that they will continue to support Duffy: "The club has supported Dylan throughout this process and will continue to do so privately."
Duffy has also been signposted to Sporting Chance, a UK-based charity founded by former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams, which offers support to professional athletes dealing with mental and emotional health issues.
Duffy's case follows a series of betting offences involving other professional footballers. In October 2023, Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was banned for 10 months for placing between 40 and 50 bets after joining the Magpies from AC Milan. Ivan Toney, the former Brentford striker, admitted to 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules and has been banned until January 16, 2024, with a £50,000 fine. West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was also charged with spot-fixing offences in four Premier League matches.
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