Former Lincoln City defender Bradley Wood has been banned from football and all football activity for six years following an FA investigation into ‘unusual bets’ placed on Ipswich Town’s FA Cup replay defeat at Sincil Bank last season.
The 26-year-old right-back was booked in the 90th minute of that match when the game was goalless. Lincoln counter-attacked from the resultant cleared free-kick and scored a dramatic winner.
Wood was also cautioned in the 70th minute of the Imps’ 1-0 fifth round win at Burnley. It is those two incidents which came under suspicion following unusual betting patterns.
An FA statement explains: “The FA has a dedicated integrity team, including former criminal investigators, which is specifically tasked to investigate any alleged breaches of The FA’s Match Integrity and Betting Rules.
“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.
“It is said that the bets were atypical in the context of the caution betting market, and in relation to the betting history of those placing the bets. The potential winnings (some were not paid) totalled approximately £10,000.
“The gravamen of 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.”
In August 2014, new rules prevented any club employee from the top eight tiers of the English game from betting on any worldwide footballing activity.
One-time England C international Wood, who left Lincoln last summer to rejoin former club Alfreton Town, admitted 23 of 25 charges faced and was found guilty of the two he contested.
In addition to his lengthy ban, he has been fined £3,725 and ordered to contribute £1,550 to court costs.
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