MLS Midfielder Felipe Hernandez Tagged for Second Gambling Violation

Major League Soccer revealed Friday that Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez has been placed on administrative leave after a report found that he had violated the league’s policies on gambling for a second time.

MLS announced the decision via a short statement, noting that Hernandez had also violated the terms of his reinstatement after he had previously been suspended for gambling violations in 2021. 

Hernandez admitted to earlier bets over safety concerns

Hernandez was suspended in 2021 after betting on two MLS matches. An investigation found that he had placed the bets online, and that both MLS bets were on matches not involving Sporting KC. It also found that there was no integrity issue, as Hernandez appeared to have no inside information on those matches.

Hernandez ultimately shared his betting activity with Sporting KC officials, as he had concerns over his personal safety because of his gambling debts. That admission came on July 5, 2021, and MLS suspended Hernandez for the remainder of the season on October 8 of that year. 

At the time, Sporting KC said that they would welcome Hernandez back if he completed treatment for his gambling addiction. The club would take Hernandez back, and he made 38 appearances with the team in 2022. That earned him a contract extension through at least 2025, with an option for the 2026 season. 

However, Hernandez has received reduced playing time over the past two seasons. In 2023 and 2024, he has played just 18 times for Sporting KC, while also playing once for Sporting Kansas City II – Sporting KC’s reserve team – this season. 

Born in Colombia, Hernandez grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and played for the United States Under-19 team in 2017. He spent his youth career with Swope Park Rangers, Kansas City’s USL affiliate. 

Professional athletes continue getting caught betting on sports

No punishment has yet been announced for Hernandez for this second violation. Both Sporting KC and MLS declined comment when contacted by The Kansas City Star. 

Hernandez’s situation is just the latest example of a professional athlete facing punishment for gambling on their own sport. Major League Baseball recently handed out suspensions to four players and issued a permanent ban to Tucupita Marcano for betting on baseball, with Marcano betting on games involving his own team. 

The NBA similarly banned former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for both betting on basketball and passing along inside information to other bettors. 

One lingering question on the minds of many fans is why athletes continue to bet on sports – in particular, their own sports and even their own games – when they know the punishments far outweigh any potential gain. The increased availability of legalized sports betting is certainly a factor, though the regulation and monitoring that goes along with those legal sites may also be catching players who might otherwise have made bets without being caught.