The punishment Joey Barton received from the FA for betting on football matches was harsh, since the former England National team player and Burnley FC midfielder is banned him from all professional football activity for a period of 18 months with immediate effect for breaching Rule 8 of its code of conduct, by placing wagers on a number of football matches. The FA completed its investigation on Barton’s gambling activity and found that the 34-year old footballer placed 1260 bets on a number of “football matches and competitions” over a period of 10-years. This activity broke the rules the FA has established, which prohibits any professional footballer, referee, coach or club official to bet on ‘the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in, football matches or competitions
After the announcement of his punishment, Barton spoke to the media, stating: « I think if the FA is truly serious about tackling the culture of gambling in football, it needs to look at its own dependence on the gambling companies, their role in football and in sports broadcasting, rather than just blaming the players who place a bet. Ι accept the decision but I am disappointed at the harshness of the sanction».