‘I’m disappointed of course’: Ivan Toney breaks his silence after being handed an eight-month football ban for betting breaches… as the Brentford and England striker vows to ‘focus on his return to play the game what I love next season’
- Toney is banned from all football-related activities until January 2024
- He pleaded guilty to most of the 262 bets submitted by the FA last year
- The 27-year-old posted a statement on social media after receiving the suspension
Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney admits he is ‘naturally disappointed’ after being banned from football for eight months on Wednesday for breaching betting rules.
27-year-old Toney has been banned from all football activities until January 2024 for breaching FA betting rules, a major blow to both the player and his Brentford club.
Mail Sport revealed in February that the England international pleaded guilty to most of the 262 bets submitted by the FA last year before an independent disciplinary committee imposed an eight-month suspension and a £50,000 fine following a hearing this week.
After admitting 232 of 262 allegations involving bets placed over a four-year period, he will not even be allowed to train at Brentford until September.
Following Wednesday’s news Toney broke his silence on social media and expressed disappointment with the result, while pledging to “focus on his return to play the game I love next season”.
Ivan Toney admits he is ‘naturally disappointed’ after an eight-month football ban
Toney, who made his England debut against Ukraine in March (pictured), pleaded guilty in response to 232 FA gambling allegations
The Brentford and England striker broke his silence with this statement on social media
“Today I received notice that I will not be allowed to play for eight months following a hearing before an FA regulatory committee that took place yesterday,” he wrote.
“Of course I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to play for the next eight months.
“The written reasons for the Commission’s decision have not yet been published, so I do not comment further at this time, other than to thank my family and friends, Brentford FC and our fans for their continued support at a very difficult time. .
“I’m now focusing on my return to play the game I love next season.”
Toney’s suspension is effective immediately, meaning he will play no part in Brentford’s pursuit of European football in the last two games of the season.
Thomas Frank’s men are currently ninth, four points behind Tottenham in seventh, with qualification for the Europa League or Europa Conference League still a possibility.
But they will have to miss their star striker, who has scored 20 Premier League goals so far this season, before closing that European bid.
The FA released a statement on Wednesday confirming Toney’s suspension, saying: “Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football and soccer-related activities with immediate effect for eight months, which runs until 16 January 2024, has been fined Received £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct for breaches of FA betting rules.
Toney’s suspension comes as a huge blow to Brentford and their manager Thomas Frank (left)
The Brentford FC striker was charged with a total of 262 offenses under FA Rule E8 between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021. The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these offenses and he admitted to the remaining 232.
His sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission following a personal hearing. From September 17, 2023, he will only be allowed to train with his club again during the last four months of his suspension.
“The Independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these sanctions will be published in due course, and the FA will wait to review them before commenting further.”