Brentford striker Ivan Toney says he found reports he could be banned for six months ‘disturbing’
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Brentford striker Ivan Toney calls for a “leak investigation” after Sportsmail reported he has pleaded guilty to many of his 262 betting charges, and issued a statement to say he found it “disturbing” to read that the FA could Ban it for six months.
- Ivan Toney has released a statement on reports that he could face a six-month suspension.
- The Brentford striker has been charged with 262 gambling offenses
- He said he was ‘disturbed’ by the speculation but vowed to focus on his football.
Ivan Toney took the extraordinary step of demanding the FA open a leak investigation after Sportsmail revealed that he admitted to breaking betting rules.
The Brentford striker faces a lengthy ban after admitting to many of the 262 charges brought by the FA late last year.
Toney is angry that his intention to plead guilty has been made public and appears to be blaming the FA for the Sportsmail revelations.
The 26-year-old also lashed out at claims that he will be suspended for six months, although that claim did not appear in this newspaper’s report.
“I was surprised and disappointed to see press speculation yesterday and today about the FA’s vetting process concerning me after being told by the FA that it is a confidential process until a decision is made,” Toney wrote on Instagram.
Ivan Toney has responded to reports that he could be banned from football on betting charges
The Brentford striker said he was ‘disturbed’ by the reports in a statement on social media.
“It is particularly disturbing for me to read that the FA say I will be banned from football for six months before there is a hearing and I am concerned about the process.”
“My lawyers will be writing to the FA to request that they carry out a leak investigation as this is the second time stories have appeared in the newspapers, the last time being just before the England team’s selection for the World Cup.”
“As they keep telling me that the investigation must remain confidential, I cannot comment further and will continue to focus on my football.”
Toney was charged with 232 cases of breach of betting rules in November, with the charges occurring between February 2017 and January 2021. The following month, Toney was charged with a further 30 alleged breaches of FA betting rules.
The FA will now review his response before issuing a hearing date. It will then be up to an Independent Regulatory Commission to reach a verdict and issue a subsequent punishment.
Toney was charged 262 times by the FA in December for betting on football