Brentford striker Ivan Toney has accepted charges of breaching the Football Association’s betting rules. Toney, 26, was previously charged with 262 rule violations in November and December. However, he has denied some of these accusations.
News of the charges was first announced in November when the FA claimed the striker breached 232 betting rules. Then, a month later, 30 more violations hit the list. It is still unclear which or how many charges the player has since denied.
Ivan Toney bets span four years
According to The Guardian, Toney began betting on certain matches while on loan from Newcastle at Scunthorpe in 2017. The striker then continued to place these bets while playing for his current club until January 2021.
FA Rule E8 states that players “may not bet, whether directly or indirectly, or instruct, permit, cause or enable any person to bet on the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect or event in or in connection with a football match or competition; or any other matter concerning or related to soccer anywhere in the world, including, for example and without limitation, transfer of players, employment of managers, selection of teams or disciplinary matters”.
Previous rulings show Toney could miss months
Toney seems almost certain to receive a fairly heavy ban from the FA on the charges. Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier was previously banned from all football assets for 10 weeks and had to pay an $83,000 fine. The England international defender breached FA Rule E8.
Former player Joey Barton also received a lengthy ban for betting on the matches. The energetic midfielder was banned by the FA for 13 months after placing bets on more than 1,200 games over a seven-year span.
Toney’s possible absence would undoubtedly greatly affect Brentford’s chances of qualifying for European competition. The Bees currently sit ninth in the Premier League standings, but are just one point away from a possible Europa Conference League place.
The striker is third in goals in the English top flight this season with Marcus Rashford (14). Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane currently have more Premier League goals than the Brentford striker.
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