Key Takeaways
- Liam McDonald faces an FA inquiry into claims he gambled while manager of Redditch.
- One accusation says he bet on his own side to lose.
- Kettering Town say they will support their manager while the probe continues.
England’s football chiefs have opened a fresh betting probe after claims surfaced that Kettering Town manager Liam McDonald broke strict gambling rules during his spell at Redditch United.
The alleged incidents date back roughly ten years, when the 37-year-old coach was in charge of the Redditch squad from 2013 to 2016. Sources say the governing body is examining whether McDonald placed wagers on matches involving the club, including a bet against his own team.
FA regulations forbid anyone involved at Step 4 or above from staking money on any football event worldwide. Redditch were competing in the Southern League Premier at the time, the same level—Step 3—where Kettering now play.
McDonald reportedly alerted Kettering officials himself. The club have chosen to keep him in the dug-out while investigators gather evidence. No formal charge has been filed yet.
Recent cases show the FA is ready to punish breaches at every tier. Brentford striker Ivan Toney received an eight-month suspension for hundreds of bets, while West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá was cleared of deliberately picking up cards to sway markets.
Both the FA and Kettering Town refused to comment further on Monday.