Football news - Daniel Sturridge betting storm Q&A: What punishment might await Liverpool striker?

The FA said Sturridge’s alleged breaches were in relation to passing on information about players, managers, team selection or disciplinary matters, which was not publicly available at the time.

The situation is potentially ruinous for Sturridge, who is on a £150,000-a-week deal at Anfield, that expires at the end of the season, and will fear the charges could mean the end of his time at Liverpool.

So what does the future hold for the 29-year-old, who won his last England cap against Lithuania in October 2017, after his alleged breaches of FA's betting rules? First, let's explain what we know so far...

Sturridge has been accused of knowingly passing on information to an unnamed third party, who then benefited by placing bets and profiting.

It is unclear what the precise nature of those bets are, but the FA wrote in their statement the charge relates to allegedly passing on "information relating to football which the participant has obtained by virtue of his or her position within the game and which is not publicly available at that time".

Sturridge played in six Premier League games with West Brom, where he failed to score a goal before his season was ended by an injury picked up against Chelsea on February 12.

It is reported that the charge relates to this loan move, and the FA statement refers to "alleged breaches" of betting rules and, more specifically, cites a rule that reads "a participant shall not bet, either directly or indirectly, or instruct, permit, cause or enable any person to bet on — (i) the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in or in connection with, a football match or competition; or (ii) any other matter concerning or related to football anywhere in the world, including, for example and without limitation, the transfer of players, employment of managers, team selection or disciplinary matters".

The FA had conducted an eight-month inquiry before announcing the charge on Monday.

According to the Daily Mail, Sturridge could face a "career-ending ban" and reference the 18-month ban (later reduced to 13 months) handed to Joey Barton last year after he accepted an FA charge relating to 1,260 bets over 10 years.

Others, such as Martin Demichelis, Andros Townsend and Jack Colback, have been hit with fines of up to £25,000 for breaching betting regulations.

So, while Sturridge isn't being accused of placing bets on football himself, he can expect a ban or at least a significant fine if the betting charges are upheld.

Yes. Liverpool have issued a statement with Sturridge telling his employers "categorically that he has never gambled on football".

The full statement reads: “Daniel has given his full and unequivocal co-operation throughout this process and has assured the club he will continue to do so.

Sturridge has until 6pm on November 20 to respond to the FA, and the former Chelsea striker is ready to contest the charge.

He will be keen to clear his name, with his career stuttering in recent years and his deal soon to expire at Anfield. At 29, with his history of injuries, he cannot afford any form of ban if he wants to be certain of securing a renewal at Anfield or a contract elsewhere in the top flight.

The Daily Mail has reported that "sources close to Sturridge would be surprised if the player had gambled given his strong religious beliefs".

The Sun’s Neil Ashton, hasn’t held back in his criticism of Sturridge in his Tuesday column, describing the striker as a “troubled soul”.

The tabloid’s chief football reporter claims Sturridge has “gambled with his career” if the FA allegations are correct.

Ashton wrote: “He has never quite fitted in, an outsider in a sport that demands dedication, discipline and teamwork to make it right to the very top.

“Even with the full support of the Liverpool family, he faces an uncertain future as he attempts to clear his name.”

Having seen his career derailed during a disappointing loan spell at West Brom, the player has shown glimpses of his best form under Jurgen Klopp this season.

Sturridge scored four goals in his first seven appearances this season, including a brilliant late equaliser at Chelsea, but his form has dipped with the player substituted at half-time against Red Star Belgrade.

The emergence of Xherdan Shaqiri as a viable alternative to breathe new life into Liverpool's heralded front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah has moved Sturridge back down the pecking order.

After appearing to regain his place in Klopp's plans, and his contract at Anfield up at the end of the campaign, the betting charges couldn't have come at a worse time.

The Sturridge charges come amid the growing prevalence of betting companies in English football, with some accusing the game of having sold its soul to gambling some time ago.

The FA are, of course, right to have probed the striker if they feel their betting rules have been breached, but the governing body should also consider how pervasive betting has become in football.