[themaclad]

Torquay United defender Austen Booth has been banned for nine months for breaching the Football Association's betting rules.

The 26-year-old admitted placing 289 bets on football matches between 5 August 2017 and 7 July 2021.

During this period, he played for Truro City, Buckland Athletic and Tiverton Town in the seventh tier and below in English football.

All players in the top eight tiers of the English game are barred from betting on any football matches.

Forest's Toffolo gets suspended ban for betting breaches
Published
13 September 2023
Tonali given suspended FA ban for betting breach
Booth, whose contract runs until the end of the season, had been the only player left on National League South club Torquay's books at the end of last season.

"The club is very disappointed to lose the services of Austen, but acknowledges the FA's judgement and ban imposed on our player," Torquay said in a statement.

"All employees of football clubs should be aware that placing bets on football is strictly prohibited.

"We have reiterated this to everyone at Torquay United in light of this specific case and reminded them of their obligations to adhere to FA rules."

Torquay added, external that they feel more needs to be done to make semi-professional players aware of the rules around football match betting.

The club said: "In Austen's case, Torquay United feels that the football system needs to do better to educate both clubs and especially young players who are coming through the non-professional and semi-professional ranks.

"We applaud Austen's desire to deliver a seminar to our under-18s academy team to educate young players around the issue of football betting."

[themaclad]

AFC Fylde's National League game with Southend United has been postponed after a train carrying the visitors north broke down.

The train was due to arrive in Preston at 12:39 BST but suffered a power failure en route.

A Southend statement said , externalan "evacuation train" was being organised by Avanti West Coast but would take the Southend squad and staff back to London.

"It is currently unclear when the evacuation train will arrive and so a decision has been made to postpone the game," the statement continued.

"We apologise to our supporters for the inconvenience caused. For those who already in Fylde, we have put some money behind the supporters' bar at the stadium - please have a beer on us."

The train left London at 10:18 BST ahead of a 15:00 kick-off at Fylde's Mill Farm stadium. The exact location of where the train broke down has not been revealed.

No date as yet been agreed for a rearranged fixture.

Fylde are next in action with a home game against Yeovil Town on 7 September, when Southend will again travel to the north west to take on Oldham Athletic.

[themaclad]

United pot 10 hog

[themaclad]

David (Klopp is a ...) Coote suspended from being in the middle

[themaclad]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/art...54p5l5qxpo

Fight

[themaclad]

THE MAGIC OF THE CUP

[themaclad]

Norwich City's top scorer Borja Sainz has been suspended for six matches after admitting to spitting at Sunderland's Chris Mepham in December.

The Championship's leading scorer has also be fined £12,000 by the Football Association for the incident which took place in the 74th minute of Norwich's 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light.

The Spaniard - who has netted 16 goals for the Canaries this season, but has failed to add to that tally since November - said he takes "full responsibility" and "deeply regrets" what he did.

"Spitting at an opponent is completely out of character for me, and my reaction in that moment was unacceptable," said Sainz.

"I want to apologise directly to the opposing player, Chris Mepham, for my behaviour.

"Additionally, I extend my apologies to my team-mates, our coaching staff and our fans. I am deeply disappointed in myself and for letting all of you down through my conduct."

Sainz has started in each of the four games since the spitting incident, helping the Canaries to three wins in an unbeaten run since then.

The suspension means he will miss Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as trips to Championship high-flyers Sheffield United and Leeds this month.

He will also be unavailable for games against Swansea City, Watford and Derby County before being available again to return against Preston North End on 11 February.

"While I am saddened to miss the upcoming games, I will use this time to reflect, learn and refocus, so that I can return stronger and continue contributing to the team for the rest of the season," Sainz added.

[themaclad]

Blunts self destruct at home to the Tigers, did possibly have a legit goal chalked off but fair play to Wilder said the better team won, without Hamer they struggle.

[themaclad]

Burnley 0 Leeds 0 no shots on target HT

[St Charles Owl]

Burnley 0 Leeds 0 no shots on target HT

Dreadful game so far!!