Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez has been placed on administrative leave after a new report found the 26-year-old violated the league’s gambling policies, the MLS announced Friday.
Hernandez had already previously been suspended for violating these policies back in 2021, as the league also noted that he had violated the terms of his January 2022 reinstatement.
An investigation is currently underway. No further details have been provided as to what violations Hernandez committed at this time.
The Colombian midfielder, who has graduated through Sporting Kansas City’s academy and been with the top organization since 2019 as a Homegrown Player, had previously been suspended in October 2021 after the league launched an investigation into his gambling activities earlier that year. According to reports, Hernandez informed Sporting Kansas City of his major gambling debts and was allegedly worried for his safety.
Hernandez was later admitted to counseling for gambling addiction as the situation was handed over to law enforcement.
Following an investigation at the time, Hernandez eventually released a statement after findings that he had placed bets on two MLS games, though neither involved his own club.
"Over the last several months, I have been able to reassess, take responsibility for my actions and get the proper care for something that has greatly affected me," Hernandez wrote in a social media post at the time. "I look forward to doing everything possible to get back on the field and will work harder than ever to help Sporting KC achieve its goals.”
Gambling remains pervasive
This latest incident marks a continued string across all major sports as the leagues continue to grapple with legalized sports gambling. Just this past week, Major League Baseball found itself embroiled in its own betting scandal when high-profile umpire Pat Hoberg, known for his exceptional accuracy, was disciplined for undisclosed gambling violations.
In the world of soccer, gambling violations are also nothing new, with tensions no doubt heightened as Euro 2024 gets underway.
Just last month, West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was charged by the English Football Association for allegedly breaching betting rules, adding to a growing list of players disciplined for alleged sports betting activity in the soccer world.
