The FA has proposed that starting next season, participants at Step 4 -- which includes the U.K.'s Northern Premier League, Southern League and Isthmian League -- and above (meaning anyone in England's top eight tiers) will be banned from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition anywhere in the world. The changes to FA Rules from the start of the '14-15 season would also see a worldwide prohibition on betting on any other football-related matter, for example, the transfer of players, employment of managers or team selection. The FA Council's unanimous recommendation on Wednesday, which followed another unanimous recommendation from The Football Regulatory Authority in March, means the new betting rules would need to be agreed upon by FA shareholders at their AGM on May 21 before taking effect (FA). The PA's Matt McGeehan reported a "blanket ban was suggested" by former FA Chair David Triesman in '09 and now "is within weeks of becoming a reality." The proposal follows "consultation with the Premier League, Football League, Professional Footballers' Association, League Managers Association and Football Conference." The news "comes on the day Tranmere sacked Ronnie Moore after he became the latest high-profile figure to breach existing betting rules." FA Dir of Governance Darren Bailey said, "The proposed betting rule adjustment to encompass all aspects of world football provides a simple and straightforward message to all participants on where the line is drawn" (PA, 4/9).
