Ivan Toney Charged with Breaching Betting Rules |
|
Brentford's star striker faces possible ban if found guilty
Ivan Toney, the Brentford striker, has been charged by the FA over 232 alleged breaches of betting rules. The investigation has covered a four-year period and the announcement comes after the 26-year-old admitting last week his activities were being looked into. The alleged breaches took place between February 2017 and January 2021. At the start of this period, he was on the books of Newcastle United, playing at various clubs on loan before moving to Peterborough in 2018 and then Brentford in 2020 where he has scored 58 goals in 105 games. When reports first surfaced of the investigation in a report in the Daily Mail, Ivan Toney tweeted, "I'm aware of a story about me in a national newspaper today. "I have been assisting the Football Association with their enquiries and will not be making any comment until such investigation has reached its conclusion. "I am a proud Englishman and it has always been my childhood dream to play for my country at a World Cup finals." His surprise omission from the England World Cup squad is believe by many to be down to Gareth Southgate being aware that charges were pending. Ivan Toney has until Thursday, 24 November to respond to the charges. The FA said on Wednesday, "Ivan Toney has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the FA's betting rules. "It is alleged that the Brentford FC forward breached FA rule E8 232 times between February 25, 2017 and January 23, 2021. "Ivan Toney has until Thursday, November 24 to provide a response." Brentford issued a statement saying, "Brentford FC has been informed that Ivan Toney has been charged with breaches of FA Rule E8. "The club has been in discussion with Ivan and his legal representatives about this matter and those conversations will continue privately. "We will make no further comment until the matter has been completed." There is a blanket ban on betting on football for anyone involved in the game which includes placing bets on matches taking place anywhere in the world. This ban covers not just scores but bets on transfers, managerial appointments and team line ups for games. Sharing information that might be used to place a bet is also forbidden. Kieran Trippier, who is in the England World Cup squad, was suspended for ten week and fined £70,000 after tipping off a friend he was about to sign for a Spanish side. Joey Barton was banned for 18-months (later reduced to 5) for placing 1,260 bets, effectively ending his playing career.
November 18, 2022
|