Reading Chief Mark Bowen Charged After Placing '95 Bets On Football Matches'

Reading head of football operations Mark Bowen has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for placing 95 bets on soccer matches. Bowen, 60, is alleged to have placed the wagers over a two-year period until January of this year. However, none of the bets were on games involving the Royals.

Reading HFO Mark Bowen allegedly placed 95 bets on matches between April 2022 and January 2024

In a statement released by the FA: “Reading's Head of Football Operations has been charged with misconduct in relation to breaches of The FA's Betting Rules.

“Mark Bowen allegedly placed 95 bets on football matches, which were unrelated to Reading, between 19 April 2022 and 14 January 2024.”

According to Rule E8 on betting from the FA Handbook 2023-24, “a participant shall not, directly or indirectly, seek to influence for an improper purpose the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in or in connection with, a football match or competition.”

🚨Reading DoF, Mark Bowen, charged with allegedly placing 95 bets on football matches from 2022-2024 by FA. Has until June 7 to respond #readingfc

— James Earnshaw (@james_e1871) May 31, 2024

A participant also cannot “directly or indirectly offer, agree to give, give, solicit, agree to accept or accept any bribe, gift or reward or consideration of any nature.” This applies to betting especially.

Prior to a charge being brought, the Regulatory Commission has the power to issue an Interim Suspension Order in relation to a participant associated with a Club in the Premier League, the EFL, The National League, Isthmian League, Northern Premier League, Southern League, or The FA Women’s Super League for such period and on such terms and conditions as the Regulatory Commission considers fit.

Bowen will be issued a ban if found guilty

Additionally, Bowen's charge is the latest case in a series of incidents involving the Berkshire club. The organization has lost a whopping 18 points under the ownership of Dai Yongge for a failure to pay staff and HMRC.

Though, the penalty for this offense applies only to the individual. A points deduction is not expected, according to James Earnshaw.

Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali have both been issued bans in the past year for breaching rules on betting. This means Bowen could end up with a ban if found guilty.

Furthermore, Bowen played for seven clubs across his 19-year career: Tottenham Hotspur (1981-1987), Norwich City (1987-1996), West Ham United (1996-1997), Shimizu S-Pulse (1997), Charlton Athletic (1997-1999), Wigan Athletic (1999), and Reading (1999).

After his playing career, the former left back and midfielder also served as a manager for Crystal Palace U23s (2001), Queens Park Rangers (2012), Reading (2019-2020), and AFC Wimbledon (2022).