AFC Wimbledon winger Osman Foyo has been handed a five-month suspension by the Football Association (FA) after admitting to 252 breaches of betting regulations.
The 21 year old, who joined Wimbledon permenantly earlier this year, was found to have placed bets on football matches over an 18-month period.
The decision, announced following a hearing by the FA’s Regulatory Commission, underscores the governing body’s ongoing campaign to clamp down on gambling violations within English football.
What the Punishment Involves
Foyo’s punishment is divided into two parts. One month of his ban takes immediate effect, ruling him out of action until 2nd November 2025. During this time, he will be barred from all football related activities, including training and match participation,
The remaining four months of the suspension are suspended until 2nd April 2027, meaning that if Foyo refrains from any further breaches of the FA’s strict betting code until that date, the suspended portion of his punishment will not be enforced.
In addition to the ban, the winger has been compared to the severity of the breaches but one that reflects both his age and current playing level.
The FA made clear that the suspended portion of the punishment is intended to act as a deterrent, giving Foyo a chance to learn from his mistake while maintaining a pathway to rehabilitation.
The Breaches And Timeline
According to the FA’s findings, Osman Foyo placed 252 bets on football matches between 29th October 2023 and 28th March 2025. The bets were discovered as part of the FA’s regular monitoring process, which tracks player and staff activity to identify potential violations of betting regulation.
While there is no indication that any of Foyo’s bets were linked to the matches he was directly involved in, the sheer number of wagers represented a clear and repeated breach of FA Rule E8, which strictly prohibits players, coaches and other participants from betting on any football related events.
After being confronted with the evidence, Foyo admitted to the charges during the FA’s disciplinary hearing. His admission and cooperation with the investigation were considered mitigating factors in determing the final sanction.
The FA’s statement emphasized that the rules evist to preserve the integrity of the game, ensuring that players’ involvement in football remains free from any perception of corruption or conflict of interest.
Impact on Wimbledon and Foyo’s Status
For AFC Wimbledon, the immediate one month suspension represents a minor but notable distruption. The club is currently navigating a demanding League One campaign, and although Foyo has only featured sparingly so far this season his absence limits manager Johnnie Jackson’s attacking options.
The club issued a short statement confirming its acceptance of the FA’s decision and expressing support for the player:
”AFC Wimbledon acknowledges the decision of the FA’s Regulatory Comission regarding Osman Foyo. We will continue to support Osman through this period and help him learn from this experiance as part of his development both on and off the pitch”
Foyo will now miss several upcoming League One fixtures in October and early November, including matches that could be pivotal for Wimbeldon’s early season form.
Background
Foyo’s career has been one of steady development throughout the English football pyramid. A former youth player at both Norwich City and Ipswich Town, he gained experience with Torquay United, Welling United and Chelmsford City, where he scored 12 goals in 21 games and earned attention for his attacking flair.
He joined Wimbledon permenantly in January 2025 after a successful loan spell and contributed to the clubs promotion from League Two to League One, making six appearances in that campaign. Still only 21, Foyo had been considered a player with strong potential before this setback.
Betting Breaches in Context
Foyo’s case comes amid a string of betting related incidents in English football. The FA has been firm in its enforcement with notable examples including Ivan Toney, who received an 8 month ban for 232 breaches, and Harry Toffolo, who was given a suspended sanction after 275 breaches.
Foyo’s smaller scale and cooperative response led to a lighter punishment, showing the FA’s willingness to balance discipline with rehabilitation, particularly for younger players earlier in their careers.
Looking Ahead
The suspension marks an early career challenge for Foyo but not an insurmountable one. His immediate goal will be to stay disciplined, serve his ban, and refocus on his development once eligible to play again.
Wimbledon’s decision to stand by him offers a platform for recovery. If he returns determined to learn from this mistake, Foyo can still rebuild his reputation and continue his rise through the football leagues.
