English FA Bans Defender for Six Years

Former Lincoln City defender Bradley Wood was banned for six years by the English Football Association (FA) for two match-fixing offences on Thursday.

A FA tribunal ruled Wood “influenced a football betting market” by earning two yellow cards in action for Lincoln in FA Cup ties against Ipswich and Burnley last year.

Wood, 26, denied the two most severe charges, but was found to have committed 25 betting-related breaches in all and was banned until March 8, 2024 on top of a £3,725 ($5,304) fine.

“The case against Mr Wood is that he planned to be cautioned, told personal acquaintances of that plan so that they and others to whom the information was passed placed bets,” read the FA’s written judgement.

“The data supplied by betting organisations has revealed what is said to be unusual bets being placed on Mr Wood being cautioned in both matches. Two of those placing the bets are said to have close personal involvement with Mr Wood.”

Wood was suspended for the final two weeks of his Lincoln contract in April 2017 before being released.

By beating Ipswich and Burnley, Lincoln became the first non-league side to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup since 1914 last season.

Source: AFP