Everton striker Martin Sherif has been fined £5,000 by the Football Association after admitting to breaching betting rules. The 20-year-old was found to have six gambling accounts in his name, with 61 bets placed on football matches between November 2024 and February 2026.
Details of the breaches
Sherif told the FA's regulatory commission that he did not place any of the bets himself. However, the accounts were in his name and he funded them, with £1,974.77 staked in total and £1,539.02 returned, equating to a net loss of £435.75.
Sherif, who spent time on loan with Port Vale and Rotherham United last season, emphasised that he had apologised, felt remorseful for his actions and has since warned his Everton academy team-mates about the dangers of gambling. He also stressed his youth and inexperience and noted that he had been left "considerably out of pocket" due to the losses incurred.
Commission's findings
The commission found "his suggestion that he was not aware of the football bets difficult to accept" and also noted that Sherif had "attended education sessions" on gambling and was aware that he was not allowed to bet. The commission deemed that a £5,000 fine was sufficient and that his actions didn't warrant a sporting sanction.
Sherif scored two goals in 10 appearances for Rotherham in the first half of the 2025/26 season before heading to Port Vale. The forward netted twice in 19 games for Vale after joining them in February on loan, but could not stop them from being relegated from League One.
Career background
Sherif, who was born in Liberia, joined Everton's youth set-up in 2019 and has made numerous appearances for the club's under-18s and under-21s side, but is yet to make his senior debut for the Toffees. His contract with Everton is due to expire in June and he is yet to make an appearance this season.
