Police found almost 20 kilos of crystal meth with a street value of more than £2 million at his home

13:51, 18 Aug 2025Updated 14:06, 18 Aug 2025

Michael BoatengBristol Rovers – Michael Boateng
01/08/2011

Photographer: Dan Regan/Staff

Reporter: Sport

Copyright: Northcliffe Media Ltd

A former Bristol Rovers defender has been jailed for 14 years after being caught with a bag full of £2.3 million worth of crystal meth in his home. Michael Boateng played for Rovers in 2011 and went on to be a personal trainer to footballers including Manchester United star Jadon Sancho.

But after being banned from football for life for matchfixing, he battled drug addiction, drug dealing and spent time in prison. In between, he became a high-profile figure in the media talking about prison, rehabilitation and mental health.

Boateng’s life spiralled back down again in 2023, and he started using Class A drugs. Croydon Crown Court heard earlier this month that police stopped him in 2023 and found thousands of pounds worth of drugs.

He was given bail, but when police raided his home on Valentine’s Day 2024, they found almost 20 kilos of crystal meth with a street value of more than £2 million. He was jailed for 14 years last Monday (August 11).

The 34-year-old came through the academy at Crystal Palace as a teenager before being released. He was signed by Bristol Rovers from non-league Carshalton Athletic in the summer of 2011 after a successful pre-season trial, and made his debut for Rovers in September 2011, just after he turned 20. His career at Rovers didn’t last long – he was loaned back to non-league clubs in South London, and was formally released at the end of the season.

Within 18 months, he had been arrested and charged as part of a match-fixing conspiracy. He had been playing for Whitehawk, a non-league side in Brighton, but was wrapped up in a larger match-fixing syndicate involving a Singaporean betting organisation involving fixing results and yellow cards.

Boateng was jailed for bribery, for a failed conspiracy to fix a game between AFC Wimbledon and Dagenham & Redbridge in November 2013, being sentenced to 18 months in prison.

On his release he was banned from football for life, and soon got involved in drug dealing. In February 2015, he was given a two-year suspended sentence and 300 hours of community service by a judge at Taunton Crown Court for his part in a drugs gang who operated a ‘County Lines’ style network to sell Class A drugs from London in Taunton and Bridgwater in Somerset.

At the time, the judge in the case said he was giving Boateng a ‘second chance’. “Everybody deserves a second chance. I’m giving you yours,” said Judge Ticehurst back in 2015. “If I see you again in this court you will go to prison.”

File photo dated 25/03/14 of former Conference South player Michael Boateng who is accused of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery.File photo dated 25/03/14 of former Conference South player Michael Boateng who is accused of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery.(Image: PA)

In 2020, Bristol Live reported how Boateng was telling his story and advising young footballers as a mentor. After completing a personal training qualification in prison, he was the co-host of a a podcast called ‘Banged Up’, talking about life in prison, and was working with young players – including future England star Jadon Sancho, and Ryan Sessegnon, saying he was providing them with ‘personal training sessions, mentoring and protection in order to stop them falling into the same traps’ he did.

“I have known them since they were really young. They are really good kids. The fact they don’t judge me for my background is a blessing,” he said at the time.

“When Sancho is back in the country and he needs training I train him. He is a world beater. If the boys need to go on a night out, or if they go on holiday and need me to come with them, then I will do that.

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“It is very rare [that there is a threat]. It is more for their peace of mind when they want to wear their watches and their jewels. They just want to feel safe because there are a lot of predators out there; a lot of people are opportunists who will be out to hurt you for whatever they want.

“They are intrigued by my story. There isn’t much I can teach them with a ball at my feet — but in terms of life experiences I can,” he added.

The former footballer said he was keen to give his expertise to help others, having rediscovered a passion for football.

“I hope I can help people. Back then there was nothing. There was no-one I could go to to ask. Time has moved on. The players have good agents advising them and mentors and player liaisons, people who can intervene. I feel I paved the way for them; a scapegoat.

Conference South player Michael Boateng leaving Birmingham Magistrates Court after he faced charges of conspiracy to defraud following an inquiry into alleged match-fixing.Conference South player Michael Boateng leaving Birmingham Magistrates Court after he faced charges of conspiracy to defraud following an inquiry into alleged match-fixing.(Image: PA)

“When I was in prison I trained my mind to be done with football, to hate it — but it was my first love,” he added.

But his life spiralled back down again in 2023, and he started using Class A drugs. Croydon Crown Court heard earlier this month that police stopped him in 2023 and found thousands of pounds worth of drugs. He was given bail, but when police raided his home on Valentine’s Day 2024, they found almost 20 kilos of crystal meth with a street value of more than £2 million. He was jailed for 14 years.