Overview
- James Byrne of Portishead Town was found to have placed 992 football bets from 2015 to 2024, profiting £48,388.66.
- The FA ordered repayment of his profits and offered a potential payment plan, with no suspension from playing imposed.
- Reports say the penalty is believed to be the largest fine issued at non-league Step 4 level.
- Byrne, a sports data consultant with a master’s degree, told investigators he used a maths- and data-driven model and opened new accounts after bookmakers closed profitable ones.
- FA rules ban football betting by players from the Premier League down to Step 4, the inquiry noted no insider involvement, and Byrne cooperated and said he would stop betting.