Steve Simonsen gets 2-match ban for betting charge

RANGERS goalkeeper Steve Simonsen has been slapped with a two-match ban - one immediate and one suspended until the end of the season - for breaching gambling rules, the Scottish FA has confirmed.
Steve Simonsen has been handed a two-match ban, with one game immediate. Picture: PASteve Simonsen has been handed a two-match ban, with one game immediate. Picture: PA
Steve Simonsen has been handed a two-match ban, with one game immediate. Picture: PA

Simonsen, 35, received a notice of complaint from Scottish football’s governing body, accusing him of betting on 55 football matches over two separate periods.

One related to 18 matches last season, the other to 37 games this season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Under Scottish FA rules, players are prohibited from betting on any football match.

Steve Simonsen has been handed a two-match ban, with one game immediate. Picture: PASteve Simonsen has been handed a two-match ban, with one game immediate. Picture: PA
Steve Simonsen has been handed a two-match ban, with one game immediate. Picture: PA

None of the matches Simonsen bet on involved his own club Rangers.

Rangers are set to take on Hibernian at Ibrox on Friday night, and Simonsen could miss that match due to the immediate one-game ban.

However, Simonsen has the right to appeal against the ruling, which was issued after a hearing at Hampden on Thursday morning.

Ibrox team-mate Ian Black was hit with a ten-game ban and a £7500 fine after admitting betting on more than 150 matches over a period of seven years while last season, Ayr United striker Michael Moffat received a six-match ban - reduced to four on appeal - after a similar offence involving placing bets on 150 matches.

FOLLOW US

SCOTSMAN TABLET AND MOBILE APPS

Related topics: