Kieran Trippier’s WhatsApp group messages that led to his 10-week ban
REVEALED: Kieran Trippier’s WhatsApp group messages that led to his 10-week ban from football, with England defender telling pals ‘done deal’ and ‘lump on if you want’ before they bet on his Atletico Madrid transfer
- Kieran Trippier moved to Atletico Madrid from Tottenham in the summer of 2019
- The right-back told some friends to ‘lump on’ the move happening with bookies
- Trippier has a 10-week ban from football currently paused due to the breaches
Kieran Trippier told friends to ‘lump on’ his pending move to Atletico Madrid in the days before his Tottenham exit, it emerged on Tuesday.
It was also revealed that Trippier rejected the offer to have his personal hearing over FA betting charges delayed, a decision that caused him to miss England’s game against Denmark in October.
Trippier was handed a 10-week worldwide ban last month for breaching FA betting regulations when moving to Atletico from Spurs in July 2019.
Talks Kieran Tripper had with his friends over his move to Atletico Madrid have been revealed
Trippier told friends at one point to ‘lump on’ him leaving Tottenham for Atletico Madrid
The FA have now released the written reasons for Trippier’s charge and subsequent ban, which has since been suspended by FIFA pending an appeal driven by Atletico – a move that could cause the full back to miss this summer’s European Championship.
It was revealed on Tuesday that Trippier sent friends a series of WhatsApp messages, prompting a string of bets from their recipients.
On July 14, three days before his move to Atletico was confirmed, Trippier was asked by a friend: ‘Shall I lump on you going there (Madrid)?’
Trippier replied: ‘Can do mate.’
The friend continued: ‘100% Tripps?’. Trippier replied: ‘Yeah mate,’ before adding, ‘Lump on if you want mate.’
In one WhatsApp exchange, Trippier told a friend to ‘lump on if you want mate’
In another exchange, Trippier told a friend the deal was almost done and the friend bet on the move happening shortly after – Trippier didn’t appear to encourage a bet in that discussion
Details of the messages were included in the 46-page document published by the FA on Tuesday, whose regulatory commission said the messages ‘very strongly’ suggested that a friend would bet on the move.
‘We simply do not accept that these messages would be read by KT (Trippier) as ‘banter’,’ the commission said.
Trippier later sent a message that read: ‘It’s happening.’
This resulted in further bets – including one for £300 the day before his exit.
England manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane, as well as Burnley boss Sean Dyche, provided character references for Trippier during the hearing.
The England right back currently has a 10-week ban on hold after the betting rule breaches
