BANNED WOOD EARNS REBUKE BY IMPS
CHIEF executive Liam Scully says Lincoln were stunned by allegations against former defender Bradley Wood, who has been banned from football for six years.
A Football Association tribunal found Wood, 26, guilty of two match-fixing offences, having told friends he would try to get booked in victories over Ipswich and Burnley during the Imps’ run to the FA Cup quarter-finals last season.
Scully emphasised that Wood’s behaviour was not representative of Lincoln’s values.
“This football club takes its own integrity and the integrity of football as a whole extremely seriously,” he said.
“So we’re shocked and saddened to be informed of the allegations.
“We acted quickly when we were first informed and have, at the request of the FA and for the sake of Bradley Wood, kept the allegations private until the matter was resolved.
“We wholeheartedly condemn any behaviour which could tarnish the reputation of football as a sport and have given the FA our complete support in conducting the investigation.
“It is important to note, however, that these charges relate to the individual actions of a single player and it is accepted by everyone that they played no part in the results of games.
“We are relieved the matter has now been brought to a conclusion.”
Wood, who now plays for Alfreton Town, was given a five-year ban for the two match-fixing offences and an additional year after admitting 22 charges of betting on the outcome of matches and one charge of passing on information.
The FA said Wood intentionally placed himself in positions to get booked on a number of occasions in both matches.
He was fined £3,725 and suspended until March 8 2024.