Wally Downes has stepped down as manager of AFC Wimbledon in the wake of a 28-day ban from all football and football-related activity by the English Football Association for breaching its betting rules.
According to iGaming Business.com, the English League One club suspended Downes last month after alleging that he placed eight bets on matches between November 2013 and July 2019.
Rule E8 bans all match officials, coaching staff and anyone involved with a club below step four in the English National League System from betting or instructing anyone to bet on the outcome of a game or any other matters related to football.
Downes admitted placing the bets and will now serve a ban until November 14. He was also ordered to pay a fine of £3,000 (US$3,865). Manager of AFC Wimbledon since November of last year, Downes will step down on mutually agreed-upon terms.
In a statement, AFC Wimbledon said, “AFC Wimbledon has reached an agreement to part company with first-team manager Wally Downes. Wally leaves with our sincerest gratitude for his time with the club, especially his invaluable contribution last season. The agreement was reached with the approval of the Dons Trust board. Assistant Manager Glyn Hodges was placed in temporary control of first-team affairs.”
The club also said the boards believe that a change of first-team manager will help maintain its recent upturn in performances. “Wally leaves with our sincerest best wishes for the future and his place in our club’s history— as both a player and manager—assured. Under the terms of the agreement reached with Wally, we will be making no further public statement about either his departure or the betting charges.”
Last month, the football association also fined Huddersfield Town £50,000 after the championship club’s Paddy Power sponsorship stunt saw it found in breach of kit advertising regulations.
