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Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced the termination of Felipe Hernandez’s contract with Sporting Kansas City. The decision follows Hernandez’s second infraction of the league’s gambling policies. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has been on administrative leave since June 2024, was found to have breached the terms set during his January 2022 reinstatement. This reinstatement came with strict conditions requiring him to abstain from gambling.
Hernandez’s struggles with gambling date back to 2021. He initially faced suspension for the remainder of the season after disclosing his gambling activities to his team. The suspension was triggered by his involvement in betting on two MLS matches, although Sporting Kansas City was not a participant in those games. This self-reporting was considered a mitigating factor, leading to his return to play in January 2022, under the condition of total abstinence from gambling.
MLS conducted a thorough investigation and found that Hernandez did not use insider information or affect match integrity. Nevertheless, the league’s recent review revealed a repeat of his gambling policy violations. Consequently, the league decided to terminate his contract, a move that marks a significant setback for Hernandez’s career. Per the MLS statement, Hernandez may apply for reinstatement on January 1, 2026, pending evaluation by the Commissioner’s office.
The league’s official statement clarified that Hernandez’s latest violations did not affect the integrity of any MLS match. However, the specifics of how he violated his reinstatement terms remain unclear. The termination of his contract could have substantial repercussions for his professional trajectory.
“Major League Soccer has terminated the contract of Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez following a probe into allegations that he violated the league’s gambling policies for the second time,” said the MLS statement.
The ongoing issue of sports wagering poses a persistent risk to the integrity of professional sports. The MLS continues to enforce strict policies to maintain fair play and ensure compliance among its players.