Ex-Liverpool striker Sturridge banned for breaking betting rules

Former Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge has been suspended from all football and football-related activities worldwide for betting on matches.

Sturridge, who was released on Monday by Turkish side Trabzonspor, was initially given a six-week ban for breaching betting rules. That has now been extended to June 17, the English football association (FA) confirmed. The 30-year-old has also seen his initial fine doubled to £150,000.

Sturridge was charged by the FA in November 2018 for misconduct and was subsequently found guilty of breaching betting rules by an independent regulatory commission for giving his brother inside information about a potential move to Sevilla.

"In relation to the sanction, the appeal board agreed with the FA that the penalty originally imposed on Mr. Sturridge was unduly lenient and therefore increased his effective playing ban from two weeks to four months," the FA's statement added.

The FA appealed the independent panel's decision, which resulted in Monday's suspension. The FA's appeal board also found Sturridge guilty of two other charges, which were initially dismissed by the regulatory commission.

According to the FA, FIFA has confirmed Sturridge's ban will have a worldwide effect, meaning the 26-time England forward is barred from signing with another team until the terms of the suspension lapse.

Prior to the ban, Sturridge was linked with a move to MLS, with D.C. United among those reportedly interested in the striker's services.

Sturridge responded to the ban with a video on his YouTube page. He admitted to being "disappointed" by the ruling, adding that "the process of people being able to place bets on players moving clubs has to be stopped."