AFC Wimbledon manager Wally Downes has been suspended for four weeks after admitting breaching FA betting rules.
The fifty-eight-year-old was also fined £3.000 after placing five football bets between 30 November 2013 and 30 January 2014 and three bets between 16 March and 12 July 2019.
FA rules prohibit any football club employee from gambling on matches.
The Dons suspended Downes after he was charged last month, and the club statement issued to confirm the punishment would only say Wimbledon would release another statement in due course.
This did not go down well with some Wimbledon fans when they took to social media to react to the news. Plenty criticised the lack of communication from a club that is famous for being fan-owned.
Glyn Hodges has been in caretaker charge since Downes suspension and he’s recently guided the Dons to two straight League One wins and many fans expressed the view the club should somehow get rid of Downes and give the job to Hodges permanently.
Although a division can be detected amongst the fans on what the club should do for the best, the majority appeared to be of the opinion it was time for Downes to leave.
Here is a selection of responses to the club’s announcement on Twitter.
Another statement to come in due course. Could be bye bye Wally.
— Nico (@AFCWnico) October 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/afcdon1/status/1185143826794668032?s=20
https://twitter.com/afcdon1/status/1185146597983866880?s=20
So serious that it resulted in a massive 28 day ban? Not a life ban, not a year. That’s no reason for sacking a guy. It’s his livelihood and the club has a care of duty for its’ employees. He made a error of judgment, end of.
— Jamie Mead 〓〓 (@jimboandandrea) October 18, 2019
I hope we do not keep him
— Richard (reggie) young (@Richardreggiey1) October 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/J_R_Harris/status/1185142229251383297?s=20
https://twitter.com/afcdon1/status/1185146876204597249?s=20
https://twitter.com/andy_smith_gk1/status/1185143702169292801?s=20
https://twitter.com/Samuelwilkie94/status/1185165295675162624?s=20
Unfortunately, while I am entirely grateful for the miracle of last year, I have never believed be was a long term solution. With the issue of his contract it is inevitable that he will go. In my opinion, best for both sides.
— Derek Gray (@malbekh) October 18, 2019
I thought afc wimbledon was a fans club
It does not look like it
If that was in any other club the manager would of got sack by now
— Richard (reggie) young (@Richardreggiey1) October 18, 2019
