Town midfielder Teddy Bishop has apologised after today being fined £3,000 for a breach of the Football Association’s betting rules. Bishop, 18, was also warned as to his future conduct after an FA disciplinary hearing that took place in London.
The player did not place any bets on Ipswich Town games but the betting rules changed at the start of last season with anyone employed within the game prohibited from placing bets on all football worldwide.
Before that it was possible for players, officials etc to bet on football as long as bets were not placed on games involving their own club or competitions in which their club were participating.
Upon hearing the verdict Bishop told the club website: "It has been a very worrying time for me and I’d like to apologise to the manager and Ipswich Town.
"I have no one to blame but myself for not being fully aware of the restrictions in betting on football. I am only young and I’m learning all the time about experiences in life and in football. This is an experience I won’t forget. It has been a massive learning curve for me.”
Town’s managing director, Ian Milne, added: "Teddy has apologised to Mick McCarthy and the Club for his actions.
"Like the rest of the playing squad and the Club staff in general, he was made aware of the guidelines regarding betting on football matches at the start of last season.
"He has accepted his punishment and we have reiterated to him the responsibilities he has as an employee of Ipswich Town Football Club but it is worth noting that the bets were all for small amounts of money and while placed under Teddy’s name, were shared amongst his friends away from the game.
"He is young and has made a mistake. He is aware of that and will certainly learn from it.”