Ivan Toney: Brentford striker made 13 bets on his own team to lose during 2017-18 season
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ByEurosport
Updated 26/05/2023 at 11:00 GMT
Ivan Toney made 13 bets on his own team to lose in seven different matches, according to an independent regulatory commission. The commission handed Toney an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity last week after he admitted to 232 betting breaches. Toney has scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for Brentford this season.
Brentford striker Toney given eight-month ban over betting
Ivan Toney made 13 bets on his own team to lose in seven different matches between August 2017 and March 2018.
On Friday, Brentford received and accepted the written reasons of an independent regulatory commission that handed Toney an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity.
The regulatory commission's report noted that Toney made 13 bets on his own team to lose in seven different matches between August 2017-March 2018. Toney was not in the squad or eligible to play in any of these matches.
The document stated: “The present case is not one of match-fixing. If it was, the charges would have been pursued under different provisions.
“There is no evidence that Mr Toney did or was even in a position to influence his own team to lose when he placed bets against them winning - he was not in the squad or eligible to play at the time.”
Psychiatry expert Dr Philip Hopley, who was part of the investigation, said Toney had a history of a gambling addiction.
Dr Hopley concluded that Toney needs professional help and added, when cross-examined by the FA, that the forward had an impulsive/compulsive disorder.
The document added: "The commission finds that a significant reduction should be made to reflect the diagnosed gambling addiction identified by [psychiatrist] Dr [Philip] Hopley. The lack of control the player has in respect of gambling is clearly a reflection of his diagnosed gambling addiction."
Toney will be allowed to train for four months from the start of his ban to allow him to get fit to resume playing. He can start training with Brentford on September 17. The 27-year-old will not be able to play for his club or England until January 16 2024.
The FA say they “invited” the commission to order that the suspension begin at the start of the next season.
They suggested as an alternative that a period of suspension could be added on to reflect he wasn’t playing in the summer, but the commission rejected the idea.
Brentford added in their statement: “The club will now be doing everything possible to provide support to Ivan and his family to deal with the issues raised in this case.
“Conversations regarding this and all matters relating to the case will remain confidential in order to protect the player and his family.
“We consider this matter closed and look forward to welcoming Ivan back to training in September and seeing him representing Brentford in the Premier League in January.”
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