Everton's Martin Sherif fined £5,000 for 61 betting breaches but escapes ban

Everton striker Martin Sherif has avoided a playing ban after being fined £5,000 by the Football Association for breaching its betting rules, following a charge brought against him in August.

The 20-year-old admitted having caused, permitted or enabled 61 bets to be placed on football matches between November 2024 and February 2025. The wagers, which totalled almost £2,000, were placed from accounts registered in his name, though Sherif maintained he had not personally placed any of them.

An independent regulatory commission took into account his prompt admission of guilt, his cooperation with the process and what it described as his “genuine remorse” when determining the sanction. The outcome means Sherif will not be forced out of action.

A former Netherlands youth international, Sherif represented his country at the 2023 European Under-17 Championship. He joined the Everton academy in 2019 but has yet to make a senior appearance for the club, spending last season on loan at League One sides Rotherham and Port Vale, scoring twice at each club. His time at Port Vale ended early after hamstring problems caused three prolonged absences, prompting Everton to recall him ahead of the January transfer window. He was also part of the Port Vale side that suffered relegation from League One.

Despite never featuring in a competitive first-team match for Everton, Sherif trained with the senior squad under manager David Moyes in February 2025 when injuries depleted the club’s forward line.