The charges in question relate to a period of nine years, including the current football season, with the footballer facing disciplinary action should he be found guilty. Of the alleged charges, seven refer to a breach of ‘Rule 31’, which states: “No club, official, team official or other member of team staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall gamble in any way on a football match.”
A further two historic violations of ‘Rule 22’ and ‘Rule 23’ were committed in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 football seasons, respectively. A virtual hearing has been set for 18 February, for the Scottish FA to determine Swankie’s involvement in the allegations, and any punishment to be handed down if found guilty.
Should the allegations be upheld, the player faces punishments ranging from a three-match ban, to a maximum suspension of 16 games.
Swankie, who recently signed a new contract with hometown Arbroath, has played for the club affectionately nicknamed the Lichties on more than 200 occasions over a 13-year spell. Among his achievements with the club, Swankie won the old Division Three title 2011, before tasting success in League 1 in 2019.
Swankie is by no means the first player to have allegedly broken gambling laws in the UK. Arguably the highest-profile player to be suspended for breaking betting regulations is Daniel Sturridge, who was given a four-month worldwide ban from football, and a £150,000 fine.
The former Liverpool and England footballer was found guilty of passing on inside transfer information, while illegally betting on the outcome.
