England Striker Ryan Bowman Banned for 3.5 Years Over Massive Betting Scandal

FA investigation reveals 6,397 bets, including wagers on his own matches

English striker Ryan Bowman, 33, has been handed a three-and-a-half-year ban from football after a Football Association (FA) investigation uncovered over 6,000 illegal bets, including hundreds on matches involving teams he played for.

According to a report from The Guardian, Bowman placed an average of more than 400 bets per month between June 2022 and September 2023 totaling 6,397 wagers.

Bowman Bet on His Own Teams — and Tried to Cover It Up

The FA found that 351 of Bowman’s bets were on games involving his own clubs, with 108 placed while at Exeter City and 243 during his time at Shrewsbury Town. This directly violates strict FA rules that prohibit players from betting on any competitions involving their own teams.

To make matters worse, Bowman was found to have used accounts registered to close associates in an attempt to evade detection a tactic the FA deemed an aggravating factor in his case.

Career on Hold Until 2028

Bowman’s ban effectively sidelines him from professional football until early 2028, when he will be 37. The suspension likely ends his career, which has mostly been spent in England’s lower leagues and a notable stint in Scotland’s top flight with Motherwell.

Cheltenham Town Responds

While Bowman’s most recent club, Cheltenham Town, says they were aware of an ongoing investigation at the time of signing him, they claim they only learned the full scale of the situation months later.

“We were not aware of the full extent of the case until the FA shared its findings. Ryan has been a professional while with us, and we wish him all the best,” the club said in an official statement.

From Lower League Workhorse to Betting Scandal

Bowman’s career spanned more than a decade with teams such as Hereford United, York City, Gateshead, Exeter City, Shrewsbury Town, and Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. Though he never played in the English Premier League, Bowman was known for his work ethic and journeyman status in the EFL and SPFL.

Why the Ban Matters

This case is one of the harshest betting-related suspensions in English football history, reinforcing the FA’s crackdown on gambling among players. Bowman’s use of proxy accounts, and his repeated betting on games involving his own team, were key reasons for the extended suspension.

Betting Rules for Players: What’s Allowed?

Under current FA betting regulations, all players, managers, and club staff in England are strictly forbidden from betting on any football-related activity worldwide, including:

• Match results
• Transfers
• Managerial appointments
• In-game events (cards, goals, etc.)

Violating these rules especially when involving one’s own team results in serious consequences.