Man City star Martin Demichelis charged with betting offences

Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis has been charged by the Football Association with several betting-related offences in January.

The 35-year-old Argentine has been accused of 12 breaches of the rules between 22 and 28 January this year. He has until 5 April to respond.

The City veteran played in two matches for City during that time, a 2-2 draw with West Ham in the Premier League and a 3-1 win over Everton in the Capital One Cup. However, "there is no suggestion that the charge relates to any of the 25 league and cup games in which he has featured for City this season", says the BBC, while The Guardian stresses Demichelis "is only accused of inappropriate betting activity, not match-fixing".

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The paper adds: "Since 2014 rules have been in force to prevent any professional player or coach betting on any worldwide football activity and Demichelis appears to have fallen foul of this umbrella ban, possibly placing bets on overseas games."

He is likely to face a fine rather than a "more draconian" suspension if he is found guilty. That would allow him to see out the season for City, who are without captain Vincent Kompany until the beginning of May.

Demichelis, who is expected to leave the Etihad this summer, has until 5pm on Tuesday to contest the charge and any decision will be decided later.

City are in danger of failing to qualify for next season's Champions League. They are currently fourth in the table, just one point ahead of West Ham United and Manchester United in fifth and sixth place. Their hopes of winning the Premier League have evaporated in recent weeks and they are now 15 points behind Leicester with eight games remaining. However, they are still with a shout of winning the Champions League and will face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter finals next month.