Former player Michael Boateng, who is banned from football for life for match fixing, ADMITS supplying crystal meth and awaits sentencing.
In June 2014, Boateng was sentenced to 16 months in prison for match fixing, then a year later, was sent to jailed for a second time for drug dealing.
On the 16th of February 2024, Boateng appeared in court charged with possessing Class A drug methylamphetamine with intent to supply.
His home was raided on Valentine’s Day in 2024, being caught with 19.6kg of the drug, worth up to £1.5m – which reportedly had been one of the biggest seizures of crystal meth in the UK.
In June 2020, working as a personal trainer at the time, and was also a co-host on the podcast Banged Up, he talked about his time in prison.
The BBC ran an article with the headline: ‘I was in prison, now I’m training Jadon Sancho’
His list of clients include Jadon Sancho as well as Ryan and Steven Sessegnon.
“I was the scapegoat for match-fixing. It was in the public interest for me to be punished,” Boateng said at the time.
“I went to an introductory meeting in a café and I didn’t agree to anything. But things happen for a reason and a positive is now helping others not make the same mistake as me.”
Michael recalled getting a call from a friend when he got out of prison, telling him to put on the news.
“It said, ‘Michael Boateng has been given a lifetime ban from football’. I was just like, ‘Wow. What can I do?’
Ex-jail mate Rob who joined Michael on the podcast, Banged Up, where they chat to prison lawyer Claire about what life is really like being locked away.
“It’s very revealing. People are usually scared to ask me about prison. I was quite tentative to put myself out there like that, but in the end it was refreshing,” says Michael. The podcast looks into those who has experienced prison life, sharing cells and what it’s like being with violent criminals.
Michael adds that the biggest thing he had learned from his time behind bars was keeping his positivity intact – something that has also helped him deal with Covid.
“I was young and naïve. Would I have done it [gone to the meeting] if I knew the consequences? Of course not, but it’s happened. I just have to grow from it and help others not to go in the same direction as I did.”
On the 10th of September 2024, Boateng admitted possessing crystal meth, cocaine and MDMA with intent to supply. He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced in November 2024.
The former youth player of Premier League club Crystal Palace, now faces a criminal sentence following his admission of supplying crystal meth, cocaine, and MDMA with the intent to distribute.
He acknowledged the charges in court on Tuesday the 10th of September and is currently being held in custody, until the hearing, set for the 18th of October, at which time he will learn of his sentence in November 2024.
A judge will review evidence regarding his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking operation.
He completed a 16-month prison sentence, along with an additional term for drug-related offences.
At the time of the initial arrest, A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “An estimated £1 million worth of crystal meth has been seized by police after a drugs warrant was carried out at a flat in Croydon on February 14.
“A 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later charged with possession with intent to supply a class A drug. The arrest was part of ongoing work to disrupt and prevent serious violence in Croydon.”
Michael Boateng was sentenced to 16 months in prison for his role in a 2013 match fixing scandal.
In November and December 2013, there were a number of individuals arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on suspicion of fixing English association football matches off the back of two separate newspaper investigations, by The Daily Telegraph and the Sun on Sunday.
On the 17th of June 2014, a jury at Birmingham Crown Court found Michael Boateng, Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan and Chann Sankaran guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery, with Hakeem Adelakun cleared of the offence.
Sankaran and Ganeshan were given a five year prison sentence, while for Boeteng, it was an 18-month sentence.
“Former Crystal Palace academy player Michael Boateng, 33, was caught with 19.6kg of the Breaking Drug, worth up to £1.5m after police raided his home on Valentine’s Day.” https://t.co/AZ323wkAUu
— Howard_Alan_Treesong (@h_a_treesong) September 11, 2024
He has already been subjected to a lifetime ban from football after confessing to match-fixing, being arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud in 2013, leading to the ban imposed in 2015.
A statement on Fifa’s website read: “A lifetime ban imposed by The Football Association (The FA) against British player Michael Boateng (from England) in relation to match manipulation has been extended by FIFA to have worldwide effect.
“Michael Boateng admitted to charges laid against him by The FA for several breaches of The FA Rules, including accepting a bribe, gift, reward or other consideration which was, or appeared to be, related to seeking to influence the outcome or conduct of a match or competition. The player also admitted to the charge of failing to report the offer made to him.
“The charges relate to matches in the Conference South in the sixth tier of the English football league system in 2013.”
BOATENG’S CAREER:
Youth
2005–2007 – Crystal Palace
2008–2010 – Woking
Senior
2010–2011 – Carshalton Athletic
2011–2012 – Bristol Rovers – 1 game (0 goals)
2011 → Tonbridge Angels (loan) – 10 games (1 goal)
2011–2012 → Sutton United (loan) – 25 games (0 goals)
2012 – Bromley – 1 game (0 goals)
2012–2013 – Sutton United – 15 games (0 goals)
2013 – Newport County – 3 games (0 goals)
2013 – Whitehawk – 16 games (0 goals)
Total – 71 games (1 goal)
Ex-footballer on confessing to fixing EFL matches to now helping FIFA and Premier League
Here’s how fans reacted as the former player, banned from football for life for match fixing. ADMITS supplying crystal meth…
@n7gooner1886: From Crystal Palace to Crystal Meth.
@Dinodevo8: Even when they get opportunities like being a footballer they can’t help themselves. It’s like a default setting to sell drugs.
@NorrisSZN__: Didn’t he get banned from football for life for match fixing aswell
@Gracey_Fcb: What is with players and pushing drugs?
@Wheddsta: Jheeeze he really took the Crystal out of the Palace
@Benjfent13: This guy always in the news doing fuckeries
@LukaCPFC_: Side note, We love a Boateng in our academy
@HJOHNSON_28: Jesus Christ 🤣🤣
@SoloBokz: He definitely started watching Breaking Bad and wanted to cook on and off the pitch
@brimmo_: Good to see that Michael Boateng has learned from his life lessons
@CFCWajid: He played for Crystal Palace and bind himself with the word “Crystal” 😭
@footbal__001: He just likes crystal
@EvilSashPioneer: Breaking Bad All Over
@BMBlebEE__: Not enough money in football?
Crystal on & off the pitch pic.twitter.com/PJxnvHCemB
— JJ (@auguscht) February 17, 2024
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