Kieran Trippier will miss the next 10 weeks of football after FIFA officially dismissed Atletico Madrid’s appeal on the Englishman’s gambling ban.
The right-back breached the FA’s gambling rules and was handed a 10-week suspension that was given worldwide effect, but Atleti disputed that the FA did not have jurisdiction in Spain and he should be allowed to play club football.
But FIFA confirmed today in a statement that they have rejected the club’s appeal and Trippier will now miss an extended amount of time.
“The decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee passed on 23 December 2020 is confirmed, extending sanctions imposed on the player by the English FA to have worldwide effect,” it said.
Trippier was also fined £70,000 in December when the ruling was laid down, but the appeal meant that he was still eligible to play up until this point.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man has been enjoying a largely productive season in Spain as Atleti look to race away with the La Liga title.
The 30-year-old has notched five assists and featured in all but two matches for Diego Simeone’s side up to this point.
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Not expected to return until the end of February, Trippier will miss at least the first leg of the Round of 16 Champions League tie against Chelsea as well as big league games against the likes of Valencia and Villarreal.
Atleti will hope to have him back for the Madrid derby against Real in early March as well as the second leg against Chelsea, but match fitness and preparation may become an issue.
With the European Championships to come in the summer, this suspension could come at the worst possible time with competition at right-back for England as strong as it ever has been.
Trippier will now focus on ensuring he is up to speed by the time he returns in mid-March, by which time his side could have one hand on the league title and on their way to the last eight in the Champions League.
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