SFA charges Barton with betting 44 times on football matches

SFA charges Barton with betting 44 times on football matches image

The Scottish Football Association has charged Rangers' Joey Barton with betting 44 times on football matches.

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The 34-year-old, who joined on a two-year deal in May, is alleged to have placed 44 bets on football matches between July 1 and September 15 this year.

The SFA, who have a strict no-betting policy on football games across the world, released a statement on Wednesday to confirm that a notice of complaint had been raised against Barton.

The former Marseille and Manchester City midfielder has until October 12 to respond to the charge, with a hearing date set for October 27.

Barton was initially under investigation from the SFA and Gambling Commission after allegedly betting on Celtic to suffer a heavy defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League group game at Camp Nou last month.

It was claimed that Barton bet on Brendan Rodgers' side, who were beaten 7-0, to lose by at least three goals.

Last month, Barton was suspended by Rangers for three weeks following a training-ground incident involving manager Mark Warburton and team-mate Andy Halliday, though he is expected to resume full training on Monday.