Everton defender Yerry Mina has been hit with a £10,000 fine by the FA for his appearance in a Colombian betting advert.
The 24-year-old turns in a pretty impressive display in the ‘Betjuego’ ad, in which he plays a range of characters, including a baker and a dancer.
However, the FA are nonplussed and charged the Colombian in July for his appearance in the ad, aired in his home country.
A statement from the FA read: ‘Yerry Mina has been warned as to his future conduct and fined £10,000 after admitting a misconduct charge in relation to the FA’s betting rules.
‘The Everton FC defender breached FA Rule E8(3) by participating in an advertisement for betting activity which he is prohibited from engaging in.’
The FA gave reasons for the relatively lenient punishment…
- Confirmation that Mina donated all monies paid by the betting company to the Yerry Mina Foundation – a charitable organisation set up by the defender in 2016 to help disadvantaged young people from his hometown in Colombia.
- Mina had admitted the charge at the earliest opportunity and had apologised for his mistake.
- Mina had requested the advert be removed as soon as he was informed he was in breach of the Football Association’s betting rules.
Mina arrived at Everton from Barcelona in the summer of 2018 with much expected of him after an impressive World Cup campaign with Colombia.
However, he only made 13 Premier League appearances in his debut season in England as he struggled to secure a regular place in the starting XI.
Things appear to have changed for the mammoth centre-back, though, having started all four of the Toffees’ Premier League fixtures so far this campaign, keeping two clean sheets.
MORE: Liverpool ‘extend Joel Matip’s contract by a year’ after impressive start to the season
MORE: James Milner opens contract talks with Liverpool over new deal
