REVEALED: Kieran Trippier’s WhatsApp group messages that led to his 10-week ban from football, with England defender telling pals ‘done deal’ and ‘lump on if you want’ before they bet on his Atletico Madrid transfer
Kieran Trippier told friends to ‘lump on’ bookmakers odds on him joining Atletico Madrid as he closed in on a switch to Spain from Tottenham in 2019.
Trippier was given a 10-week ban from football in December for four betting breaches, although the suspension has been temporarily paused as the Football Association provide Atletico with more information.
The findings behind that ban were published on Tuesday, revealing in-depth discussions between Trippier and his friends over his future.
Talks Kieran Tripper had with his friends over his move to Atletico Madrid have been revealed
Tripper was open about leaving Tottenham and told his friends about interest from Italy, involving Juventus and Napoli, as well as LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid.
But as negotiations between Spurs and Atletico progressed, Trippier’s friends placed money on him joining Diego Simeone’s team and he even at one point encouraged them to do so.
Over WhatsApp, one friend asked Trippier if he should place bets on the right-back’s impending move to Spain.
‘Can do mate,’ he wrote back. ‘Don’t blame me if something goes wrong. It shouldn’t but just letting you no (sic)’ followed by three crying with laughter emojis.
Trippier then wrote ‘Lump on if you want mate’.
In another discussion, he told a friend how negotiations were nearly completed with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy – who he said was holding out for £500,000 extra – moments before the friend then placed two £22 bets on Trippier moving.
There was no indication in that exchange that Trippier explicitly told him to bet on the move.
Earlier that month, in a conversation involving the same friend, Trippier was told by them that the odds on him joining Atletico were 6/1, to which the England right-back replied with an eyes wide open emoji which is commonly interpreted as shorthand for shifty.
Trippier then replied again, this time with three crying with laughter emojis. After that, Trippier sent two further messages but promptly deleted them.
More to follow