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Ivan Toney laughs off FA charge as Brentford star dances and parties with his friend and former Newcastle team-mate, just hours after learning he could potentially face a six-month suspension for breaking betting rules 232 times
Ivan Toney has been photographed outdoors for the first time since being charged with misconduct by the FA for breaking gambling rules.
After Sportsmail revealed he was under investigation by the FA, the Brentford striker was charged with 232 betting offenses in four years, after which Callum Wilson was chosen ahead of Toney as Harry Kane’s backup in England’s Qatar World Cup squad.
Obviously, a report triggered by the probe is some 2,800 pages long. Toney became a contender for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side after a blistering start to the season, scoring 10 goals in 14 league games.
However, earlier this month it emerged that he was the focus of a seven-month FA investigation.
Toney allegedly failed to bet against his own team, an offense that could result in a lifetime ban.
If he is found to have placed bets on his own side to win, a hefty six-month suspension is among the possible penalties.
Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney (right) has been pictured for the first time since being accused of misconduct by the FA as he laughed, joked and had a good time at former Newcastle teammate Rolando Aarons’ 27th birthday party ( left). wednesday night
Toney charged ‘in connection with 232 alleged breaches’ of FA betting rules in four years
However, there is no suggestion that the 26-year-old striker has bet against his own side
The number of bets and how much he has wagered will be taken into account if Toney is found to have broken the rules.
The claims cover the period from February 2017 to January 2021, when Toney played for Scunthorpe, Wigan, Peterborough and Thomas Frank’s Brentford – his current club.
But Toney didn’t seem to care as he partied with former Newcastle teammate Rolando Aarons on Wednesday night.
Toney then took to Twitter Sports mailis exclusive to release a statement about the FA probe
Toney played alongside winger Rolando Aarons (right) at St James’ Park from 2015 to 2018
Jamaican winger Aarons, 27, now at Huddersfield, played alongside Toney at St James’ Park from 2015 to 2018 and posted snaps from his birthday party on Instagram, which shows Toney smiling broadly in a dark blue shirt, jeans and trainers.
FA chief Mark Bullingham has insisted he had not told Southgate to leave the 26-year-old out of his 26-man squad for the tournament over the allegations, claiming the decision was entirely for football reasons.
Toney has scored 10 goals in just 14 appearances for the Bees this season, earning him a first England call-up in September, although he failed to make his international debut in that round of matches.