After determining that Brentford striker Ivan Toney had violated the FA’s betting rules, it has handed him an eight-month suspension.
Toney will not be allowed to train with his club for the remaining four months, starting on 17 September, until the end of the suspension period.
Toney was charged for 262 violations of FA Rule E8 from 25 February 2017 to 23 January 2021. Toney was charged with 232 violations, and the FA later retracted 30 of them.
FA Rule 8 states that any player, match official, or coach cannot bet directly or indirectly on any football-related matters anywhere in the World.
In November, Toney announced on his Facebook account that he was helping the FA in an investigation.
The FA announced that it had detected an initial 234 breaches, before adding more breaches in November.
Toney received a fine of PS50,000 (EUR57.559/$62.340) as well as a warning about his future behavior. The FA said that an independent Regulatory Committee, which oversaw sanctions, would publish reasons in writing for its actions.
Disappointed
Toney responded to the announcement via his Instagram account and said that he would await the written reasons for the case before he made any further comments.
Toney stated, “I’m naturally disappointed that I won’t be able to play in the next eight-month period.” I will not say anything else at this time, except to thank my friends and family, Brentford, and our fans, for their support during what has been an extremely difficult time.
“I am now focused on returning to the game I enjoy next season.”
Brentford has also released a statement regarding the ban. It said it would review the written reasons for the ban before taking any further action.
The club stated that “Brentford FC currently awaits the publication of written reasons by the independent regulatory committee.” “We will examine them before deciding our next step.”
