Alexander Djiku has found himself in trouble in France after he received a one-match suspension in France for participating in sports betting.
Multiple sources online indicate that the Professional Football League (LFP) conducted an inquiry into 76 players, coaches, and team officials for their participation in betting during the 2020–21 season.
Among those cited was the Strasbourg defender. The otherwise calm and ‘innocent’ player who was a member of Ghana’s team at the 2022 World Cup had had his reputation soiled in the process.
In case you aren’t aware, players and football officials are forbidden from betting on any game.
“These offences were committed even though, together, the LFP and the UNFP (the players’ union) have carried out awareness or information campaigns with the clubs on a daily basis,” wrote the LFP in its press release.
“The Commission recalls that the actors of the competitions organised by the FFF or the LFP (in particular the players, coaches, managers of professional football clubs) have a general ban on betting, online or in physical networks, on all football competitions, whether domestic or foreign.”
Also caught in the ‘net’ was Jean-Charles Castelletto, a defender for Cameroon. The Nantes centre-back will face a four-match suspension.
At the 2022 World Cup, Castelletto played for the Indomitable Lions and played the full 90 minutes in both of their first matches against Serbia and Switzerland. He scored in the 3-3 thriller against Serbia.
