Brentford star forward Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football-related activities for eight months by the English Football Association’s independent regulatory commission for breaching its betting rules.
The Three Lions striker has also been fined £50,000 and will serve his ban until January 16, 2024, after he admitted to breaching the league’s betting regulations.
Club Statement
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) May 17, 2023
The 27-year-old was initially charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 between February 25, 2017, and January 23, 2021, which cut across his time with the Bees, Scunthorpe United, Wigan Athletic, and Peterborough United. Despite the FA withdrawing 30 of those breaches, Brentford No. 17 admitted to the other 232 charges.
According to a statement released by the FA, the former Newcastle United forward’s suspension will begin immediately, but he can return to training with the Bees on September 17, four months before the end of the ban.
“His sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission following a personal hearing,” the FA statement read. “He is permitted to return to training only with his club for the final four months of his suspension starting from 17 September 2023.
“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.”
On the other hand, the club released a statement on its website, stating they are aware of the newly imposed sanctions on the player and are awaiting the publication of the written reasons before “considering their next steps”.
Toney has been in impeccable form for Thomas Frank’s side this season, with 20 goals in 33 Premier League matches, guiding them into ninth place in the table and ensuring their best league finish since 1938.
He will miss Brentford’s next two games: a trip to seventh-place Tottenham this weekend and a home game at the Gtech Community Stadium against Manchester City on May 28, the final day of the season.
