October 21 – A former Reading academy player Kynan Isaac has been handed a ten-year ban for spot fixing in the FA Cup.
Isaac was playing for Southern League Premier Division Central side Stratford Town, had 14 bets placed upon him receiving a card during Stratford’s FA Cup first-round game with Shrewsbury Town on 7 November 2021.
In total £1,516.50 was bet on him receiving a card, of which £1,462.50 was placed in a 53-minute period the night before the game.
Sky Bet refused to pay out the winning bets while three people who placed bets with a combined win of £6,000, did not dispute the failure to pay out.
A report by StatsPerform, presented in the hearing, described Isaac’s challenge in the 83rd minute as “aggressive”, adding that it was “hard to understand’’ given how the game was effectively over with Shrewsbury leading 4-1 with seven minutes to go. Isaac’s foul had no potential benefit to his team.
As part of their investigation WhatsApp messages between Isaac and his friends were discovered where he joked about getting a card to help “pay off the bills”.
The FA described the exchange, which took place after it was confirmed the game would be on television, as “unequivocal”. “Kynan Isaac is openly discussing getting carded [in the match] with the intention of making money off the bets,” it said.
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