Premier League striker Ivan Toney has been given an eight-month ban, along with a £50,000 fine, after he confessed to breaking 232 of the Football Association’s (FA) betting rules.
The 27-year-old’s suspension has already taken effect, meaning he will miss Brentford’s final two games of the season—at Tottenham on Saturday (May 20), and at home to Manchester City on the final day.
“The Brentford forward was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021,” the FA said. “The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches and he admitted to the remaining 232.” Toney’s penalties were imposed by an autonomous regulatory commission, and he will be prohibited from practicing with his Brentford teammates until September 17.
Posting on his Instagram story, the striker said he was “naturally disappointed” at the verdict but would be making no further comment until the the independent Regulatory Commission concludes its report. “I make no further comment at this point other than to thank my family and friends, Brentford FC and our fans for their continued support, through what has been a very difficult time,” he wrote. “I now focus on returning to play the game I love next season.”
A Brentford statement read: “Brentford FC notes the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to issue an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity to Ivan Toney with immediate effect. Ivan was charged with breaches of FA rule E8 and had a personal hearing earlier this week. Brentford FC is currently awaiting the publication of the written reasons of the independent Regulatory Commission. We will review them before considering our next steps.”
The FA have strict rules on gambling and this is not the first time they have handed out a lengthy ban. Current Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton was suspended for 18 months in 2017, reduced to 13 on appeal, after admitting placing 1,260 football-related bets over a 10-year period.
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