Ivan Toney handed lengthy FA ban for betting offences

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been handed an eight-month ban by the Football Association after being found guilty of a string of betting offences.

The 27-year-old was charged with 262 breaches of the FA’s rules in regards to betting in November and December, though the latter 30 were later withdrawn.

Toney is banned from all football and football-related activities until January 16, 2024, with an FA statement confirming of his punishment: “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.”

Toney has also been fined £50,000 and warned over his future conduct, and will not be able to train with Brentford’s first team until September 17.

A Brentford club statement reacting to Toney’s ban 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.”