Betting in football – Was The FA’s decision on Joey Barton a fair one?

Burnley FC midfielder Joey Barton is the latest high profile footballer to be sanctioned by The Football Association (“The FA”) under its Rules and Regulations (“FA Rules”) relating to betting. Barton, who was charged with having placed 1,260 bets on football matches between March 2006 and May 2013, has been given an 18 month ban from all football activities by The FA and fined £30,000.[1]

This ban (subject to any successful appeal) means that Barton cannot play football (which includes training and appearing in reserve team matches) until he is 36 years old, casting doubts over whether his professional playing career is now at an end. Indeed, in a statement released by Mr Barton in the aftermath of The FA’s decision, the player stated that the decision “effectively forces [him] into an early retirement from playing football.” [2]

This article examines The FA’s Rules on betting by football players and their application to Mr Barton’s case. Was The FA’s decision fair, too harsh, or too lenient? It also touches upon the uncomfortable interplay that exists between cases like Mr Barton’s and the modern-day relationship that football has with betting companies. Specifically, it looks at:

• The FA Rules on betting by players
  
  
• Educational awareness on betting in football
  
  
• The bets placed by Mr Barton
  
  
• The length of ban for breaching The FA Rules – what is proportionate?
  
  
• The Commission’s approach to Mr Barton’s sanction
  
  
• Mr Barton’s “personal circumstances”
  
  
• Comparison to other similar cases
  
  
• Comment