Manchester City's Demichelis charged with betting offences
Manchester City defender, Martin Demichelis, has been charged by the FA for allegedly breaking betting regulations.
By Matthew Pintus
Manchester City’s Martin Demichelis has been charged with misconduct in relation to betting by the Football Association.
An FA statement read: “It is alleged the player committed 12 breaches of FA Rule E8 concerning football matches between 22 January 2016 and 28 January 2016.
“He has until 5pm on the 5th of April to respond.”
FA Rule E8 states that a player must not “either directly or indirectly, or instruct, permit, cause or enable any person to bet on” any “result, progress or conduct of a match or competition” in which they participate or have participated in during a season, or in which they have any influence.
The FA has the power to fine and ban any player in breach of rule E8.
However, there is no suggestion that the charge relates to any of 25 games the Argentinian international has featured in this season.
In 2013, Newcastle United winger, Andros Townsend, was given a four month playing ban and an £18,000 fine by the Football Association after he was alleged to have breached the rule. He subsequently missed the whole of England’s 2013 European Under-21 Championship campaign.
Demichelis has played 94 times for Manchester City since his move from Spanish side, Malaga, in 2013. He last featured in the club’s derby day 1-0 loss to arch rivals, Manchester United, on the 20th of March.