UK
Ivan Toney: Brentford striker suspended from all football for eight months after breaking betting rules
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football for eight months after breaking FA betting rules.
The England international admitted 232 breaches between February 2017 and January 2021.
The sanctions mean the 27-year-old won’t be available to play again until 16 January 2024, although he will be allowed to return to training in September.
The striker has also been fined £50,000, according to Sky Sports News.
The ban means he will miss Brentford’s final two games of the season – Saturday’s game at Tottenham and at home to Manchester City on the final day.
In a statement, Toney said: “Today I have received notification of my eight-month ban from football following a hearing before an FA Regulatory Commission that took place yesterday.
“I am naturally disappointed that I will be unable to play for the next eight months.
“The written reasons for the commission’s decision have not yet been published, so 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.”
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Initially, Toney was charged with 262 breaches of FA rule E8, but the FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches.
A statement from Brentford, posted to social media, read: “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.”
Toney’s case highlights inconsistencies about football’s embrace of betting
Football’s rules are clear. No player can be involved in betting on football or provide information for gambling on their sport.
But players are still allowed to be walking billboards for betting companies on the pitch.
Players like Ivan Toney – whose Brentford shirt promotes a betting firm offering odds on the Premier League matches he has scored 30 goals in this season.
But his season is ending prematurely with two games to go, starting an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association’s betting regulations.
The suspension is damaging for a career that has been flourishing – with only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane scoring more Premier League goals than him this season.
Undoubtedly, the 27-year-old would have been in demand for an upgrade in clubs in the summer transfer window – potentially to play in Europe.
But the striker who made his England debut in March now cannot even train with a team until September nor play again until January.
The rules were surely clear enough to him.
It is nine years since a blanket ban was introduced barring players from betting on any football – from matches to team selections and transfers.
While the rules are logically designed to protect the integrity of football, there is a paradox about football still maintaining such a close commercial relationship with the betting industry.
The Premier League has voluntarily agreed to ban gambling sponsors from the front of shirts from the 2026-27 season.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer welcomed the move in April, saying: “While the vast majority of adults enjoy gambling without harm, we can’t ignore the fact footballers are massive role models to kids.”
But those footballers will continue to still play with betting adverts flashing around pitches during matches.
Even as the clear message being drilled into players is they shouldn’t have any involvement at all in betting on football.
Toney’s case highlights inconsistencies about football’s embrace of betting – while trying to warn players of the dangers.
Rule E8 of the FA states that a participant “shall not bet, either directly or indirectly, or instruct, permit, cause or enable any person to bet on” matches they are involved in or have influence on.
Players, managers, coaches, club staff, directors and licensed agents involved in football globally are banned from betting within the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and the Northern, Southern and Isthmian leagues.
The ban also includes betting on any other football-related matter such as the transfer of players, managerial appointments or team selection.