Everton's Martin Sherif fined £5,000 after admitting 61 FA betting rule breaches

Everton striker Martin Sherif has been fined £5,000 by the FA after admitting to 61 breaches of the governing body’s betting rules, with six gambling accounts in his name used to stake £1,974.77 on football matches between November 2024 and February 2026.

Sherif told the FA’s regulatory commission that he did not personally place any of the bets, but acknowledged that the accounts were registered in his name and that he had funded them. The total amount returned was £1,539.02, leaving him with a net loss of £435.75.

The commission found his claim that he was unaware of the football bets “difficult to accept”, noting that Sherif had attended gambling education sessions and was aware that placing such bets was prohibited. Despite this, the panel concluded that a financial penalty was sufficient and that his conduct did not warrant a sporting sanction.

In mitigation, the 20-year-old expressed remorse, highlighted his youth and inexperience, and pointed out that he had been left “considerably out of pocket” by the losses. He also told the commission that he had since spoken to Everton academy team-mates about the dangers of gambling.

Sherif spent the 2025/26 season on loan, first at Rotherham United — where he scored twice in 10 appearances — before joining Port Vale in February, netting twice more in 19 games. He was unable to prevent Vale’s relegation from League One.

Born in Liberia, Sherif joined Everton’s youth set-up in 2019 and has represented the club at under-18 and under-21 level, but is yet to make a senior appearance for the first team. His contract at Goodison Park is due to expire in June.