Image Source: GB News
Brentford striker Ivan Benjamin Elijah Toney (iBET) has been banned from football for eight months for breaching FA betting rules. The 27-year-old admitted to 232 breaches of FA Rule E8, which occurred between February 2017 and January 2021.
The FA announced the ban in a statement on Wednesday. Ivan Toney will be suspended from all football-related activity, including playing, training, and attending matches, until January 16, 2024. He has also been fined £50,000.
The FA’s Rule E8 prohibits players from betting on football matches or competitions. Toney admitted to placing bets on a total of 262 matches, including some involving Brentford. He also admitted to providing information about upcoming matches to others for betting purposes.
The FA’s independent Regulatory Commission imposed the ban following a personal hearing with Toney. The commission found that Toney’s actions had brought the game of football into disrepute.
Toney has said that he is “deeply sorry” for his actions and that he accepts the ban. He has also said that he has learned from his mistake and that he is committed to returning to football in January 2024.
The ban is a major setback for Toney, who has been one of the most impressive players in the Premier League this season. He has scored 21 goals in 35 appearances for Brentford, who are currently ninth in the table.
Toney’s ban will also be a blow to the England national team. He has been capped three times by England and is seen as a potential future star for the team.
The ban is a reminder of the importance of players following the FA’s betting rules. Betting on football matches can lead to serious consequences, both for players and for the game itself.
