Fifa rejects Atlético appeal over Trippier betting ban
However, the sanction could be suspended again – allowing Trippier to play for his club in Spain – if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hears a further appeal.
Trippier was initially charged with misconduct by England’s Football Association (FA) in May last year, after he was found to have breached its betting rules in a case related to his move from Premier League Tottenham Hotspur to Atlético Madrid in Spain’s La Liga.
The FA issued Trippier with a 10-week suspension, ruling he breached FA Rule E8(1)(b), which bars players from disclosing information about potential transfers.
This came into force from 21 December 2020, but was this month reduced to four weeks after a personal hearing. A fine of £70,000 (€78,612/$95,275) remained in place.
Fifa had initially stated that the ban would be enforced worldwide, meaning that while it was issued by the English FA, it would mean Trippier would be banned from playing for Atlético in Spain.
Atlético appealed this aspect of the ban, arguing it could only be enforced in England, and as such the global suspension was halted on 2 January while the appeal was considered. Trippier had already missed three games to that point.
The FA stated that while the ban ran from 21 December 2020 until 28 February 2021, Trippier was still effectively serving the ban while being permitted to play in Spain, which it argued was against the spirit of the sanction.
To address this, the FA launched an appeal to “revise the dates” so that the ban could apply either when Fifa allowed it to be enforced globally again, or when Trippier returns to an English club, whichever came sooner.
However, the panel rejected this request, saying only Fifa could determine if the ban should be global.
The Fifa Appeal Committee has now ruled that the FA ruling may be applied globally. As such, Trippier will not be able to play in Spain until the full 10-week suspension ends on 28 February.
Atlético said it intends to take the case to CAS. If CAS agrees to hear the case, Trippier will be able to continue playing until a decision is reached.