On Friday (14 June) Major League Baseball (MLB) announced it had disciplined umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league's sports gambling policy. Hoberg has appealed the decision, which was first reported by The Athletic.
The exact details of Hoberg’s penalty are unknown, but he has not appeared in a game this season. In its statement on Friday, MLB said Hoberg did not directly manipulate games, but did not rule out him betting on baseball.
Per league rules, betting on baseball is punished with a year-long ban. Betting on games in which one is playing, coaching or officiating results in a lifetime ban.
Hoberg is appealing the decision.
“During this year’s spring training, Major League Baseball commenced an investigation regarding a potential violation of MLB’s sports betting policies by umpire Pat Hoberg,” the statement read. “Mr Hoberg was removed from the field during the pendency of that investigation.”
Despite there not being “any evidence that games worked by Mr Hober..