Ivan Toney handed eight-month football ban and £50,000 fine over betting breaches
Brentford star hit with punishment from independent regulatory commission as he is side-lined until January 2024
Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football and football-related activity for eight months after breaking the FA’s betting regulations.
The ban will take immediate effect, which means Toney, who has one cap for national side, will not be able to play again until 16 January 2024.
However, he will be allowed to return to training with his club for the final four months of the suspension, starting from 17 September.
Along with the eight-month ban, Toney has been fined £50,000 fine for the breaches.
The 27-year-old, who has scored 21 goals this season, was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021, during which he played for Scunthorpe United, Wigan Athletic, Peterborough and Brentford.
However, the FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches, with Toney admitting to the remaining 232.
His punishment was imposed by an independent regulatory commission following a personal hearing.
The FA said the commission’s written reasons for the length of ban and fine will be published in due course.
English football’s governing body said it will also review the reasons before making further comment.
In a statement, Brentford said: “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.”
Brentford Independent Association of Supporters chair Adam Hobbs said: “While we understand that footballers can make mistakes off the pitch, it is important to note that Ivan has been part of the footballing community long enough to be aware that him betting on football matches is strictly prohibited.
“By engaging in such activities, he has adversely affected the club, which will now have to continue paying him a significant sum in wages while he serves his ban.”
Earlier this year, Toney said he was “shocked and disappointed” about leaks from the FA claiming he would face the ban, which has ultimately proven to be the case.