Ivan Toney banned: Brentford and England striker suspended from football for eight months
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been handed an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity
PA
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been handed an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity for breaching FA betting rules.
The footballer was charged by the FA in November for 262 alleged breaches of betting rules over a four-year period.
Betting on football is banned worldwide for all players, managers, coaches, club staff, directors and licensed agents.
Toney admitted 232 breaches of the FA’s gambling laws between 2017 and 2021 last November, with the FA adding a further 30 charges which took place between 2017 and 2019 the following month before the were subsequently withdrawn.
The footballer was charged by the FA in November for 262 alleged breaches of betting rules
PA
His ban will remain in place until January 16, 2024, and has been fined £50,000 after admitting to the alleged breaches.
A statement from the FA reads: "Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football and football-related activity with immediate effect for eight months, fined £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct for breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules.
"The Brentford FC forward was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021. The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches and he admitted to the remaining 232.
"His sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission following a personal hearing. 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."
The ban means Toney will not be available for England selection when Gareth Southgate names his next squad in June.
Brentford have in turn, released a statement: "Brentford FC notes the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to issue an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity to Ivan Toney with immediate effect.
"Ivan was charged with breaches of FA rule E8 and had a personal hearing earlier this week.
"Brentford FC is currently awaiting the publication of the written reasons of the independent Regulatory Commission. We will review them before considering our next steps."
The ban means Ivan Toney will not be available for England selection
PA
An independent regulatory commission imposed Toney's sanctions and he will not be allowed to train with his Brentford team-mates until September 17.
The England forward has scored 21 goals in 35 appearances for Brentford this season.
Toney was called up by Gareth Southgate earlier this season and earned his first England cap in the most recent international break.