'A football problem' - Walsall boss opens up on Jamie Jellis' struggles after betting case
Mat Sadler believes football can learn lessons on how to "improve the aftercare" for young players dropping out of academies in relation to Jamie Jellis' challenging period.
Jellis will be able to put a difficult few months behind him, after he escaped a ban for breaching FA betting offences last week.
The midfielder, who joined Walsall from Tamworth in January 2024, received a £1,200 fine and a five-month suspension, which has been suspended for 12 months.
Essentially, Jellis will be able to continue playing as long as he does not reoffend, which will enable him to put this testing chapter behind him.
When asked about the situation, Sadler said this is not an isolated problem, but something which football must do more to help young players dropping down the pyramid.
"Credit to the FA in terms of what was decided because I don't see this as a Jamie Jellis problem, I see it as a football problem," boss Sadler declared.
"A young player, at the age of 18, whether or not it's the Premier League or Stevenage, it's the dreams of their lives going up in smoke, being released by them.
"The pressure that comes with that in terms of friends, family and feeling failure. That isn't a Jamie problem, it's a football problem.
