Updated January 6th, 2021 at 12:33 IST

Kieran Trippier messages that led to 10-week ban LEAKED in public; read full transcript

Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier's conversation, which led to his 10-week ban, has now been leaked, with FA suggesting he did not benefit from the bets.

Reported by: Minaam Ansari
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Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier was handed a 10-week ban by the England Football Association (FA) after being proven guilty of having breached betting rules. The breach was reported when the defender left Tottenham Hotspur to join Atletico Madrid in July 2019, with the fine also accompanied with a hefty fine. Now, the exact WhatsApp conservation has been revealed by the FA, in which he suggests a friend to 'lump on.' 

Also Read | Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier slapped with 10-week ban for breaching betting rules

Trippier Whatsapp messages revealed by FA

Trippier was found guilty of providing information on his move to Atletico Madrid to the bettors, following which a 10-week ban, apart from a £70,000 fine was imposed. However, four other charges, including betting charges have been dropped. He has also not been accused of benefitting from betting. 

In one of the conversations as released by the FA, Trippier is seen speaking with a friend named Matthew Brady. The chat suggests that the defender has encouraged Brady to gamble on his move, but the FA concedes that he could not have "instructed, permitted, caused or enabled MB to bet." In a subsequent message, Brady informed Trippier of his inability to bet on the same. 

Also Read | Trippier ban for Atletico paused after FIFA allows appeal

Trippier betting: Defender had knowledge of betting, concedes FA 

Another friend, who goes only by the initials 'J' is found to have placed a bet of £25 on the Trippier Atletico move for a total return of £91.67. Besides, Oliver Hawley placed 16 bets on the Trippier Atletico move with stakes ranging from £8.75 to £300 over a number of days during the transfer talks. 

Hawley placed a total bet of £1,189.90 and is described as a 'prolific gambler' in the chats, while also winning £2,332.90. The FA accepted that Trippier had no knowledge of Howley's bets and "there was no point in time at which it would be proper to impute to KT (Kieran Trippier) knowledge of such betting."

Also Read | Man United aim to sign ex-Spurs defender Kieran Trippier from Atletico in shock transfer?

Trippier ban on hold after Atletico Madrid appeal to FIFA 

According to FA, Howley placed a bet on July 11, 2019, and sent a message to the player, stating, "6/1 Athletico [sic] Madrid," with Trippier replying with three laughing emojis. The FA has however accepted that it is normal for football stars to involve their friends about their future move. 

The judgement also acceded that the now Atletico Madrid defender did not benefit from the bet. But it did not accept the player's argument that the messages were just banter between friends. The 10-week ban is two weeks fewer than the prescribed limit as per the guidelines citing his character and behaviour throughout the course of the investigation. Meanwhile, the judgement is currently on hold after Atletico Madrid appealed the FIFA to intervene. 

Also Read | ‘I am very happy. It is not easy’, says Simeone on reaching 500 matches with Atletico Madrid

Image courtesy: Kieran Trippier Instagram

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Published January 6th, 2021 at 12:33 IST