Former Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis faced an investigation by the Football Association (FA) regarding alleged betting on football matches. This inquiry, which began in 2022, followed claims that Lewis may have violated FA regulations prohibiting players and officials from placing football-related wagers. The FA ultimately concluded that no further action was warranted.
At the time of the investigation, Lewis, now 88 years old, held a significant ownership interest in Tottenham through ENIC, which gained a controlling stake in the club in 2001. The FA’s disciplinary chiefs were alerted to the allegations, leading to the probe into Lewis’s activities. However, the investigation was closed without sanctions.
In October 2022, Lewis transferred his shares to the Lewis Family Trust, effectively removing himself from any official capacity with Tottenham and placing him outside of FA jurisdiction. This transfer occurred shortly before he faced legal troubles in the United States, where prosecutors in New York charged him with insider trading for providing privileged information to friends and associates. Lewis acknowledged the charge in 2024 and received probation along with a fine of £4 million. Earlier this month, he was pardoned by former US President Donald Trump.
The timing of the FA’s decision to conclude its investigation in relation to the share transfer remains uncertain. When contacted for comments, the FA, Premier League, and Tottenham declined to provide statements. A representative for Lewis and his company, Tavistock, also did not respond to inquiries.
The Lewis family has recently increased its engagement with Tottenham, which included the removal of former chief executive Daniel Levy in September 2023. Peter Charrington, a long-time associate of Lewis and a financier, has been appointed as the new chairman. Notably, Lewis’s children, Vivienne and Charles, have taken prominent roles within the club’s leadership structure, with Vivienne’s husband, Nick Beucher, also joining the hierarchy.
Tottenham has attracted interest from various firms for potential takeover bids in recent months, but the Lewis family has consistently maintained that the club is not for sale. In October, they announced a substantial equity injection of £100 million aimed at reinforcing the club’s financial stability and supporting long-term sporting ambitions. The club’s statement highlighted that this capital infusion is part of the Lewis family’s ongoing commitment to Tottenham’s future.
Since Levy’s exit, Vinai Venkatesham has taken on the responsibility of daily operations at the club, as Tottenham looks to navigate its next steps amidst both internal changes and external interest.
