EFL footballer, 21, slapped with long ban and fine on his birthday after lodging 252 bets

AFC Wimbledon star Osman Foyo has been slapped with an FA ban after admitting to 252 breaches of betting rules. The 21-year-old was found guilty to have placed the bets across an 18-month period between October 2023 and March 2025.

And he will now be forced to sit out a month of football, as well as pay a £1000 fine. Foyo has also been handed a further five-month suspension from football that will be imposed should he be found guilty of any further breaches.

A statement from the FA on Foyo’s 21st birthday read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned AFC Wimbledon’s Osman Foyo for breaches of The FA’s betting rules.

“It was alleged that the player breached FA Rule E8 252 times by placing bets on football matches between 29 October 2023 and 28 March 2025, and Osman Foyo subsequently admitted the charge.

“The Regulatory Commission imposed a £1,000 fine and five-month suspension from all football and football-related activity following a hearing.

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“One month will be served immediately, with the suspension running up to and including 2 November 2025, and four months are suspended until 2 April 2027 pending any further breaches of The FA’s betting rules.”

AFC Wimbledon responded in a statement: “Osman and the club have accepted the sanction, and we will continue to provide support to our player during this period of absence and beyond.”

Foyo’s ban will now see him miss Wimbledon’s next four games in League One, the first of which takes place on Saturday against Blackpool. They then take on Port Vale, Plymouth Argyle and Burton Albion ahead of Foyo’s potential return.

Foyo began his career in Chelsea’s youth academy before a move to Norwich City. He went on to make a move to Anglian rivals Ipswich ahead of loans to Torquay United, Welling United and Chelmsford City.

He enjoyed his most successful spell with the latter last term as he bagged 13 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions. That was followed by a permanent move to Wimbledon in January this year, where he made six appearances as the club earned promotion from League Two.

Foyo has seen opportunities limited this term, with his only appearances coming in the EFL Trophy. Wimbledon have enjoyed a positive start to the season under Johnnie Jackson with six wins from their opening ten league games.

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