Yerry Mina has endured an indifferent first season with Everton, but the defender faces a difficult start to his summer as the Press Association are reporting that the FA will investigate his appearance in a promotional advert.
A video of Mina endorsing a Colombian-based betting company was circulated widely online, and came to the Football Association’s attention as it featured our £120,000-a-week summer arrival from Barcelona.
While players aged over 25 are allowed to feature in their club’s promotional material, it is against strict FA rules for any player to individually associate themselves with material that advertises gambling on football, after they moved to prevent match-fixing and spot-betting incidents bringing the sport into disrepute.
The 2018/19 FA Handbook states on the matter: “An individual participant, when acting in a personal capacity, shall not be permitted to advertise or promote any betting activity that the participant is prohibited from engaging in by Rule E8(1) or E8(2).”
Rules E8(1) and E8(2) both relate to betting on football or football-related matters.
Mina has since distanced himself from the Colombian firm, and the original advertisement video has been taken down, but what outcome the FA’s investigation determines could prove a problem at Goodison Park.
While Mina has not been able to establish a regular spot in Marco Silva’s side due to regular injuries, the 24-year-old may become the boss’ main centre-back alongside Michael Keane next term if Marcel Brands is unable to secure the services of Kurt Zouma.