Everton's Martin Sherif fined £5,000 by FA commission over 61 bets, avoids sporting ban

Everton forward Martin Sherif has been fined £5,000 after an independent regulatory commission found he breached the Football Association's betting rules. The panel described the penalty as fair and proportionate, and Sherif received no sporting ban.

The FA charged the player in August over 61 bets on football matches placed between 20 November 2024 and 12 February 2026. According to the findings, Sherif did not place the wagers for himself. Instead, he allowed third parties to place bets through accounts in his name. Forty-two of the bets were made during the 2024/25 Premier League season while he was at Everton, and 19 came last season during loan spells at Port Vale and Rotherham United, then both in EFL League One.

The total stake across the bets was £1,974.77. Returns came to £1,539.02, leaving a net loss of £435.75.

The commission was chaired by Sally Clark, with Andrew Adie and Tony Agana as members. It noted that Sherif admitted the charges early, cooperated with the FA and showed genuine remorse. The filings also said he has spoken to young players in the Everton academy about the dangers of betting and casino games, and that he has closed all betting accounts, so none remain in his name.

Those factors, together with his age at the time of the breaches, were given as the reasons no sporting sanction was imposed. The outcome contrasts with the lengthy bans handed to players such as Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali. Sherif is 20.

The case comes as Everton has only one recognised striker in Thierno Barry, which could open the way for Sherif to move into the first team. The club has reportedly been put up for sale, even though its current owners, The Friedkin Group, have been in charge for under two years. Everton's shirts carry the logo of a gambling company on the sleeve, one that is not licensed in the UK.