Major League Soccer (MLS) has placed Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez on administrative leave amid suspicions that he may have violated the league’s gambling policies for a second time, the club announced on Friday.
This development comes less than three years after the Colombian was previously suspended at the end of the 2021 season for breaching the league’s gambling integrity rules and standards of conduct.
Previous Suspension in 2021
Hernandez was found at that time to have wagered on two MLS matches, which is strictly prohibited by the league. Neither of the games involved his team, and the 2021 investigation concluded that there was no evidence that Hernandez had used insider knowledge to wager or affected the integrity of either game.
At the time of his first suspension, Hernandez, then aged 23, informed the club of his gambling activities in July 2021. He was subsequently banned in October, causing him to miss the final few matches of the 2021 season. Hernandez disclosed to the league that he had undergone treatment for a gambling addiction and feared for his safety.
Reinstatement and Conditions
Hernandez was reinstated in time for the start of the 2022 season in January. The terms of his reinstatement specified that he must continue to abstain from gambling. Additionally, the league and his club both committed to providing him with support and counseling as necessary.
Sporting Kansas City expressed a commitment to Hernandez’s well-being and stated their support for his recovery process during his reinstatement period.
New Allegations and Current Investigation
An investigation has been launched into the new alleged breach of gambling policies. During this period, Hernandez is prohibited from training or playing for his team, who are currently halfway through their season. Notably, despite playing a bit-part role for Sporting Kansas City this year, Hernandez had started two of the last three matches before his administrative leave.
Gambling in Sports: A Growing Concern
The issue of gambling among professional athletes is not unique to Hernandez or MLS. Just earlier this month, MLB issued a lifetime ban to San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano after finding that he had placed bets on his own team’s games.
In another high-profile case in April, Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA for life after an investigation found he had bet on games. Porter’s infractions included using and sharing confidential information, leading to the arrest of four alleged co-conspirators.
Hernandez’s case is far from the first instance in soccer, either. Two notable cases in Europe last year saw Brentford striker Ivan Toney banned for eight games in May 2023 over betting allegations, and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali given a 10-month ban in October 2023 for gambling on Italian league matches while he was still playing in Italy.
Maintaining Integrity in Sports
These cases underscore the ongoing challenges that professional sports leagues face in maintaining the integrity of their competitions. The strict regulations against gambling are designed to prevent any potential conflicts of interest that could compromise the fairness and unpredictability that are central to sports.
For Felipe Hernandez, the current investigation will be crucial in determining his future in MLS. Both the league and his club will be closely monitoring the situation, as they continue to emphasize the importance of integrity and fair play in their respective sports.
Conclusion
As the investigation proceeds, Hernandez's case will serve as a reminder of the potentially severe consequences athletes face when breaching gambling policies. The outcomes of such cases not only impact the individuals involved but also serve as a precedent and warning for other athletes who might consider engaging in similar activities. The sports world continues to strive for transparency, fairness, and integrity, and all stakeholders are keenly observing how each league manages these crucial issues.