England national team defender Kieran Trippier has reiterated that he is fully focused on his duties on the field, despite facing allegations of alleged violations of betting rules.
The Football Association of England (FA) accused the 30-year-old of having placed bets during his transfer from England’s Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid, Spain, in the international window in mid-2019.
Trippier missed England in the League of Nations game against Denmark last month to attend a hearing on the case. He, however, returned to the team and was on the field in the defeat to Belgium last weekend.
The defender should now make his 25th match for his country this Wednesday, against Iceland. He says he is solely focused on confrontation. “I can’t talk about the AF case, but I’m just thinking positive. I’m here now with England, so I’m just concentrating on my football ”.
He added: “I am trying to do my best as I have done throughout my career and when I play it will be no different. My love for football has always been and always will be. I love to represent England, every opportunity I have if I am called up, I will take advantage ”.
If found guilty, Trippier could stay months away from football
But if found guilty, the 30-year-old may face a protracted ban, which could cause him to miss the Euro next year.
According to a source at the current Trippier club, the player reported his situation to Atletico Madrid’s board and said he was following everything calmly “because he did nothing wrong”.
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge recently served a four-month suspension from all football activities after violating betting rules, meaning Trippier could face similar punishments.
