Daniel Sturridge has been fined £75,000 and banned from playing football until July 31 after being found guilty of breaching the FA's gambling regulations.
Sturridge has been given a six-week ban, four of which have been suspended until August 31, 2020, meaning he is free to play football again from July 31 in the event he commits no further breaches of FA's guidelines.
The Regulatory Commission investigation found that the former England international had instructed his brother, Leon, to bet on a possible move by him to La Liga side Sevilla.
The Commission also found that, in issuing that instruction, Sturridge had provided his brother with inside information for that purpose.
The FA respectfully disagrees with the Regulatory Commission's findings and will be appealing against the charges which were dismissed and the sanction which was imposed.
Summary of FA's written reasons:
- proceedings lasted more than 15 months
- Independent panel received more than 3,500 pieces of evidence, including many WhatsApp conversations involving Daniel Sturridge and family members
- In summary, The FA believed this was a "family affair" - with each individual playing a role
- Charges strongly disputed by Sturridge
- £13,755 wagered by those connected directly or indirectly to Sturridge, returning £10,762
- Some bets refused by betting operators
- Had they been accepted, however, and had they been successful, these bets would have returned a further £317,000
- Some of the panel's findings have been redacted, usually to protect sensitive personal information not in the public interest
- Panel: "Mr Sturridge faced a number of significant challenges, both personally and professionally, during January 2018 and was under considerable strain as a result."
- FA not happy and appealing the nine charges that were dismissed and overall length of ban
- FA felt a sanction of any shorter duration than six months would wholly fail to reflect the gravity of the case
In response to the verdict Sturridge issued a statement that said: "I am grateful to the panel for the time and consideration given to my case. I would also like to thank my family, friends and legal representatives for the support they have given me throughout the past very tough 15 months.
"I am pleased that nine of the 11 charges were dismissed and that the panel found me to be an honest and credible witness, and that my actions on one particularly difficult day were out of character.
"The case was heard over seven days by a distinguished panel, which resulted in a lengthy and carefully considered decision, and followed an extensive investigation by The FA.
"It is therefore extremely disappointing to hear that the FA will be appealing this decision. I will continue to defend the case and the appeal.
"I am training hard and fully focused on the upcoming football season."
