MLS midfielder’s contract terminated following gambling probe
Felipe Hernández faces second ban in three years, with Sporting Kansas City player alleged to have engaged in “extensive and unlawful sports gambling”
Major League Soccer (MLS) has terminated Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernández’s contract after a probe into allegations that he violated gambling policies for a second time.
The former US youth national team player will be eligible for reinstatement to the league on January 1, 2026 only via an application to the Commissioner’s office.
An identical statement was shared on September 11 by both MLS and Sporting Kansas City to confirm the contract’s annulment, but failed to provide any specific details.
However, the league did note its investigation found “no evidence that inside information was shared or that the integrity of any MLS match was compromised.”
Hernández, 26, was previously suspended in October 2021 after MLS ruled that he engaged in “extensive and unlawful sports gambling,” including placing bets on two MLS games.
The ban came after the league began an investigation in July 2021 after the midfielder disclosed to Sporting Kansas City he was concerned about his “personal safety due to his gambling debts.”
Law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison was engaged to conduct the investigation, which established Hernández had placed two bets on MLS matches, although his club was not involved in either match.
No evidence was found that the player held confidential or otherwise non-public information in relation to the matches he bet on, nor was the integrity of the games impacted by his betting.
Hernández was then reinstated into the league from January 25, 2022 having been eligible to apply for readmission 24 days earlier.
At the time, Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said: “This is an opportunity for him, it’s a second opportunity.
“He’s got to be smart about it and I think he will be. We’re providing him with all the assistance that he’s needed.”
Hernández, who was born in Colombia, came through the youth system at Sporting Kansas City and has made 74 MLS appearances since 2019.
Earlier this week, the Chinese Football Association issued 43 lifetime bans for illegal ambling.