Notts will 'support and protect' Macari - Paterson

Lewis Macari signed for Notts County from Stoke City in December 2023 after a successful loan spell

Notts County will "support and protect" Lewis Macari after the defender was charged with breaching betting rules, says Magpies boss Martin Paterson.

The 23-year-old is alleged to have placed 354 bets on matches between 25 February 2020 and 4 December 2022 and has had until Friday to respond.

Macari started Notts' match against fourth division German club Stuttgarter Kickers on their pre-season trip despite being charged by the Football Association earlier this week.

"Whatever happens is out of our control and is with the governing bodies," Paterson told BBC East Midlands Today.

"My stance on Lewis is one of support and one of protection. We will just support the boy in terms of him getting help if he needs it."

The charges against the Scottish defender, who is the grandson of former Manchester United midfielder and Stoke City boss Lou Macari, pre-date his time with the League Two side.

He was a youth player on the books at Stoke in the near three-year timeframe covered by the alleged breaches.

Macari also had a loan spell with League or Ireland side Dundalk in that time.

"It's an historical thing that happened many years ago and I'm not saying it's right or wrong at all, I wouldn't do that, but my job is to support the players good and bad," Paterson said.

"It's a role I take responsibility for and I take with pride to make sure he is supported.

"He will take it on the chin and he will be a bigger and better man for it because we all make mistakes."