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.
This development comes less than three years after Hernandez 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
In 2021, Hernandez wagered on two MLS matches, an act strictly prohibited by the league. Importantly, neither of the games involved his team, and there was no evidence that Hernandez used insider knowledge to wager or affected the integrity of either game.
Hernandez informed the club of his gambling activities in July 2021, leading to a suspension in October of that year. Consequently, he missed the final few matches of the season. Hernandez disclosed that he had undergone treatment for a gambling addiction and feared for his safety during this period.
Reinstatement and Conditions
Hernandez was reinstated in time for the start of the 2022 season in January. A crucial condition of his reinstatement was abstaining from gambling. Moreover, the league and his club committed to providing him with support and counseling as necessary. Sporting Kansas City expressed their commitment to Hernandez’s well-being and supported his recovery process.
New Allegations and Current Investigation
Now, Hernandez finds himself under scrutiny once more as 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. It's worth noting that Hernandez had started two of the last three matches before his administrative leave.
Gambling in Sports: A Growing Concern
Gambling among professional athletes is a growing concern that extends beyond Hernandez and MLS. For example, MLB issued a lifetime ban to San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for betting on his team's games. Similarly, in April, Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA for life for betting on games. Porter's case was particularly egregious as he used and shared confidential information, leading to the arrest of four alleged co-conspirators.
In soccer, Brentford striker Ivan Toney was banned for eight games in May 2023 over betting allegations, and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali received a 10-month ban in October 2023 for gambling on Italian league matches while playing in Italy.
Maintaining Integrity in Sports
These cases underscore the ongoing challenges that professional sports leagues face in maintaining integrity. The strict regulations against gambling are designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fairness in the sport. The current investigation into Hernandez's actions will be crucial in determining his future in MLS, with both the league and his club closely monitoring the situation.
Emphasizing the importance of integrity and fair play remains paramount. These regulatory frameworks are essential to uphold the trust that fans place in the sport and to ensure that the outcomes of games are determined by skill and effort, not by external and unethical influences.
Conclusion
Hernandez's case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences athletes face for breaching gambling policies. The outcomes of these investigations have a significant impact on individuals and serve as precedents and warnings for other athletes. As the sports world continues to strive for transparency, fairness, and integrity, all stakeholders are keenly observing how leagues manage these critical issues.