Joey Barton has FA ban for breaching betting rules reduced

Upon appeal, the ban of former England international and Premier League footballer, Joey Barton has been reduced by five months.  Barton was punished by The FA for breaching betting and player conduct rules on 1,260 bets on matches between 26 March 2006 and 13 May 2016.  

The former Burnley midfielder appealed against the length of the ban, describing it as ‘excessive.’ The appeal board of the FA agreed with Barton and shortened the ban which was due to end on 25 October 2018, but will now end on 1 June 2018.

The report by the FA, said the ban now “reflects the overall seriousness of the breaches and also the mitigation including the full extent of Mr Barton’s addiction.”

Barton, who was released by Burnley in May was given a one match ban by the Scottish FA in November 2016, whilst playing for Rangers, also for breaching gambling rules. Last April the footballer announced on his personal website, that the length of the FAhas “effectively forced me into an early retirement.”

Barton revealed on Twitter that he was also due to play in a charity match for victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, however, as it is an FA sanctioned match his ban will inhibit him from playing any part in the game.

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