Banned trio’s clubs urge the FA to educate players on fix rules

Pics: Pinnacle and Action Images

THE Football Association are under increasing pressure to make absolutely clear their integrity rules after three Non-League players were banned despite reporting approaches to fix matches within days.

The NLP understands Hyde top scorer Scott Spencer and Worcester City‘s Tyler Weir both informed the FA of phone messages sent to them from former Bolton Wanderers player Delroy Facey – currently serving two-and-a-half years in prison for conspiring to bribe Non-League players – offering money to throw games two years ago.

Both were banned this week, and a third player, Mickleover Sports’ Zeph Thomas, must also miss the next four months after admitting he “failed to immediately report an approach by third party related to seeking to influence the outcome or conduct of a match or competition”.

Mickleover Sports striker Zeph Thomas

There is no suspicion at all that either Spencer, suspended for a month, full-back Weir, for two, or Thomas were involved in fixing.

Hyde manager Gary Lowe is leading the calls for the governing body to take more responsibility and help clubs and players understand the strict regulations in full.

The FA have come under fire for not publicising well enough what is seen as their draconian betting laws. In 2014, it was confirmed that players as low down as Step 4 are now unable to place money on the outcome of matches even as high profile as the World Cup final.

And Lowe said: “I feel the suspensions handed out are very, very harsh. The situation is simple – people do not understand well enough what is required of them, they aren’t aware.

“Clubs and players need to be informed. The approach made to Scott was reported within a week. He told his then manager (Scott McNiven) the next time he saw him, he in turn spoke to the secretary who then told the board. The FA were then informed and Scott was cleared of any involvement.

“Now this! He – and our club – have been punished for him doing the right thing.”

Worcester counterpart Carl Heeley said: “Tyler told me within three days and the matter was reported to the FA right away but that doesn’t seem immediate enough. We respect and accept the decision, however we will support the player as he has come forward. He reported it.”

Worcester’s Tyler Weir

The FA stress what is deemed a “reasonable time” to report approaches are made on a case-by-case basis. No time-frame is set in stone and they allow arguments to be put forward.

In a statement, they added they “proactively educate including providing players with a ‘Players Essentials Guide’ which highlights betting and match fixing rules as well as awareness posters in changing rooms and regular meetings with league officials. It points to there being an obligation, in the first instance, on players to know the rules under which they play.”

The FA’s Head of Integrity Jenni Kennedy said: “For The FA to be fully able to protect the sport, anyone classed as a participant, be it a player, coach, or club official, who believes an approach they have received threatens the integrity of the game, must report it immediately through the proper channels.

“Failing to report leaves that individual vulnerable to becoming, or being seen to become, an integrity threat themselves.

“The FA cannot allow a situation where those seeking to destabilise the integrity of football are able to freely approach participants with no likelihood of it being reported. Not reporting allows the threat to spread.”