Torquay United defender charged by FA for 289 betting offences

The English Football Association (FA) has charged Torquay United defender Austen Booth after he was found betting on football matches.

According to a statement on Torquay United’s website, Booth violated FA Rule E1.2 in respect of 289 bets placed on football matches between 5 August 2017 to 7 July 2021, before he joined the club.

Torquay, who play in the National League South, has emphasised that Booth is cooperating fully with the FA’s investigations. 

The statement said: “Torquay United confirms that the Football Association has charged Austen Booth with Misconduct under FA Rule E1.2 in respect of 289 bets placed on football matches between 05 August 2017 to 07 July 2021, prior to him joining the Club.

“Austen is co-operating fully with the FA’s investigations. The Club will be supporting Austen throughout this process and will provide further updates at the earliest opportunity.”

The 26-year-old, who joined the club in February this year from Taunton Town, is the son of former Torquay and Exeter defender Jon Gittens, who passed away in May 2019.

Further up in the English football league pyramid, betting violations have resulted in several high-profile suspensions over the past year. 

Notably, Brentford forward Ivan Toney received an eight-month ban in May 2023, followed by Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo‘s five-month suspension in September of he same year.

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has also recently been charged by the FA with four breaches of its betting rules after it was alleged that the Brazilian international had intentionally tried to get a card from the referee in four Premier League fixtures.