Liverpool striker Sturridge issues rapid response to FA betting charges

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has protested his innocence and vowed to cooperate fully with the FA after they charged him with a breach of their betting rules. 

News emerged earlier on Monday that Sturridge has been charged for breaching regulations around betting.

However, he has promised Liverpool that he will give his “full and unequivocal co-operation” to the FA.

A LFC spokesperson said: “Daniel has given his full and unequivocal cooperation throughout this process and has assured the club he will continue to do so.

“Daniel has also stated categorically that he has never gambled on football.

“As with any issue of this nature, we will allow the process to be concluded in its entirety before making any further comment.”

The FA, who tightened their regulations back in 2014 over betting for any player in England’s top eight divisions, said Sturridge’s alleged breaches were in relation to passing on information about players, managers, team selection or disciplinary matters, which was not publicly available at the time.

“Daniel Sturridge has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the FA’s Betting Rules, specifically in relation to Rule E8(1)(a)(ii) and Rule E8(1)(b), during the period of January 2018.

“He has until 6pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 to respond to the charge.”

 

Sturridge has largely played a periphery role under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield but remains in the German’s first-team thinking this season, having featured nine times and scored four goals.

There is no word yet on what punishment the striker could face if found guilty, or if he admits his guilt, though the news will not be welcomed by Klopp, whose side are second, two points behind leaders Manchester City.

Naby Keita, meanwhile, has named the one thing that perplexes him about life at Anfield.

 

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