Notts County's Lewis Macari Charged with 354 FA Betting Breaches

Lewis Macari, a 23-year-old defender for Notts County and grandson of former Manchester United star Lou Macari, has been charged by the Football Association with 354 alleged breaches of betting rules between February 2020 and December 2022. The charges relate to placing bets on football matches during a period when Macari was contracted to Stoke City and on loan at other clubs, including Dundalk. This case highlights the FA's intensified crackdown on gambling-related misconduct in football, following recent charges against other players such as Ivan Toney and Ryan Bowman. Notts County has expressed support for Macari and is cooperating with the investigation, with Macari required to respond to the charges by July 18. The FA emphasizes that its betting regulations are designed to protect the integrity of the sport by applying strict rules across all levels of football involvement. Macari's case underscores ongoing concerns about gambling influence within the game and the governing body's efforts to enforce compliance.