Former Sunderland forward Chris Maguire has been banned from all football activities for six weeks following multiple breaches of the FA's Betting Rules.
The 34-year-old was suspended indefinitely by Lincoln City in August 2022 following allegations that he had placed 52 bets on football matches between March 2017 and February 2022.
Lincoln then parted ways with Maguire by mutual consent in September 2022. He was most recently awarded a contract by League Two side Hartlepool United but due to ongoing contract issues and the betting allegations he failed to make an appearance.
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The Football Association revealed in an official statement: "An Appeal Board has suspended Chris Maguire from all football activities for six weeks following multiple breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules.
"The FA charged the forward with allegedly breaching FA Rule E8 by placing 52 bets on football matches between 17 March 2017 and 12 February 2022. Chris Maguire partially denied the charges and requested a personal hearing. The FA subsequently withdrew several charges, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a £750 fine and warning, but The FA appealed.
"The Appeal Board allowed The FA’s appeal, and the forward’s additional suspension is considered to be served in full after being backdated to 22 November 2022. The independent Regulatory Commission’s original fine and warning also remain in place."
Maguire scored 28 goals and provided 26 assists in 125 appearances during his three seasons at the Stadium of Light, and also lifted the EFL Trophy with Sunderland. He has also played for the likes of Aberdeen, Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford United and Bury during a career spanning 17 years. Maguire represented Scotland twice, and scored five goals in 36 appearances in his only full season at Lincoln City, after joining them from Sunderland in 2021.
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