Portsmouth defender and FC Midtjylland loanee hit with £2,500 FA fine for breaching betting rules

The Pompey centre-back was slapped with the penalty for placing a total of 53 football-related bets between November 7 to November 12, 2020.

Nicolaisen, who is on a season-long loan at Fratton Park from Danish side FC Midtjylland, was charged with misconduct under FA rule E8 in respect of bets placed on football matches.

None of the bets placed were on games involving the Blues, though, and the 24-year-old was unaware of regulations in England compared to his native Denmark.

A Pompey statement said: ‘Rasmus Nicolaisen has accepted an FA charge made against him in relation to breaches of their betting rules.

‘The defender received a fine of £2,500 from a regulatory commission after being charged with misconduct under Rule E1(b) in respect of 53 bets places on football matches last November.

‘None of the bets were placed on a match that Pompey were playing in, while only one involved a competition that the club are participating in (the FA Cup).

‘The commission accepted Nicolaisen’s explanation that, having recently arrived on loan from a Danish club, he was unaware of the different rules in England, where there is blanket ban on football-related betting.

‘Portsmouth Football Club believe the player acted in good faith and this was a result of a misunderstanding over the different regulations in England and Denmark. Rasmus has been professional in all aspects since his arrival at Fratton Park last summer.

‘The club have made it clear to all players and staff members that they are prohibited from betting – either directly or indirectly – on any football match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world.’

The FA was contacted by bookmakers Ladbrokes, who identified Nicolaisen as having potentially breached betting rules.

From one account, Nicolaisen had placed 53 football-related bets. The overall amount staked was £40,248.59, returning £35,706.75 and leading to a net loss of £4,541.84.

Analysis of the betting account showed there was one bet, part of a £102.02 multiple that made a complete loss, which involved an FA Cup first-round match. However, it was not Pompey's 3-2 extra-time victory at Ipswich on November 7 in which Nicolaisen featured.

Nicolaisen was subsequently interviewed by FA integrity and intelligence analyst Tom Astley on December 1. The defender stated he was not made aware of the FA’s betting rules after joining the Blues.

He added that Danish rules allow players to bet on football, but not on their own games or their own competitions.

Nicolaisen also said he placed the bets as he was living on his own in England and did not have a gambling problem.

The independent regulatory commission report says there was no suggestion Nicolaisen was engaged in match-fixing.

It was also accepted that the former Denmark under-19 international didn't try to conceal his identity and might not have 'received the education around a blanket ban on football-related betting' after his move to England.

Nicolaisen fully accepted the charge and gave ‘a full and frank account’ when interviewed.

The regulatory commission concluded a fine was an appropriate punishment but felt there was no need to hit him with a football suspension.

An FA spokesman said: ‘Rasmus Nicolaisen was fined £2,500 and warned as to his future conduct by an independent Regulatory Commission following a breach of FA Rule E8.

‘The Portsmouth FC defender admitted placing 53 bets on football matches between November 7 and November 12, 2020.

‘The independent regulatory commission’s written reasons can be viewed via thefa.com.’

Nicolaisen has made 21 appearances for Pompey this season, scoring one goal.

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