Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo has admitted to breaching betting rules on 375 occasions spanning several years. As a result, the Football Association (FA) has imposed a five-month suspension and a fine of £20,956.22 ($26,181.86) on the player. Toffolo committed these breaches during his tenure with various clubs, including Swindon Town, Rotherham United, Peterborough United, and Scunthorpe United.
FA Rule Violation:
The FA’s investigation revealed that Toffolo had breached FA Rule E1(b) 375 times. This rule prohibits participants in football from using or providing non-public, football-related information for betting purposes.
Legal Betting Exceptions:
Toffolo’s bets would not be deemed illegal if he could prove that they were placed on authorized and registered football pools.
Toffolo’s Acceptance of Charges:
Harry Toffolo has accepted the charges levied against him by the FA.
FA Statement:
A spokesperson for the FA stated, “Nottingham Forest’s Harry Toffolo has been given a five-month suspension, which has been suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season, and a £20,956.22 fine for misconduct in relation to our betting rules. The defender admitted that he breached FA Rule E1(b) 375 times between 22 January 2014 and 18 March 2017, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course.”
Harry Toffolo’s admission to breaching betting rules and the subsequent suspension and fine serve as a reminder of the stringent regulations governing betting within football. The FA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport is evident in its enforcement of these rules, regardless of a player’s club affiliation. Toffolo’s acceptance of the charges underscores the importance of adherence to such regulations within the football community.