Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been banned from football for eight months after he accepted breaking Football Association betting rules. Toney, 27, was also fined £50,000 and warned about his future conduct. He admitted to 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules.
Toney’s suspension will begin with immediate effect. This means that he will miss his club’s final two games of the season against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. He will be permitted to return to training with his club on September 17, four months before the ban is lifted. He will not be allowed to play again until January 17, 2024.
In a statement, the FA said: “His [Toney] sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission following a personal hearing.
“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.”
The breaches which the England international has been found guilty of took place between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021. During this period Toney played for Scunthorpe United, Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and Brentford. He has scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season, helping Brentford to ninth in the table at the time of writing.
Toney “naturally disappointed” but looks to his return
In a post on Toney’s Instagram story, he stated that he was “naturally disappointed” at the verdict and would make no further comment until the independent Regulatory Commission publishes its written reasons.
“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.
“I now focus on returning to play the game I love next season.”
In a statement, Brentford said they were “awaiting the publication of the written reasons of the independent regulatory commission. We will review them before considering our next steps.”
What are the rules on betting in football?
Betting on football is banned worldwide for all players, managers, coaches, club staff, directors and licensed agents involved in the game within the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and the Northern, Southern and Isthmian leagues.
Participants covered by the ban are prohibited from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world.
The ban also includes betting on any other football-related issue such as transfers, managerial appointments or team selection.
The passing of inside information, such as team news or injury news that you know about through your position in the game, to somebody that uses the information for betting is also banned.
Other players banned for breaching betting rules
England defender Kieran Trippier was banned for 10 weeks by the FA in December 2020 for giving out information for others to bet on his transfer from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid.
In 2017, Joey Barton was banned for 18 months, reduced to 13 on appeal, after admitting placing 1,260 football-related bets over a 10-year period.
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