Torquay defender Booth facing FA betting charge

Austen Booth was the only contracted player at Torquay at the end of last season

Torquay United defender Austen Booth has been charged with betting on football matches.

The 26-year-old faces a misconduct charge from the Football Association (FA) over 289 bets placed between 5 August 2017 and 7 July 2021.

Booth joined Torquay United in February 2024 after leaving Taunton Town.

He had spells at Truro City, Barnstaple Town, Buckland Athletic, Tiverton Town and Plymouth Parkway prior to joining Taunton.

Under FA rules, players in the top eight tiers of English football are not permitted to place any bets on the sport at any level.

"Austen is co-operating fully with the FA's investigations," Torquay said in a statement.

"The club will be supporting Austen throughout this process and will provide further updates at the earliest opportunity."