Ivan Toney expresses discontent over ‘spiteful’ disclosure of his gambling violations

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has claimed that the investigation and subsequent disclosure of his gambling breaches were ‘spiteful’.

The 27-year-old received an eight-month ban after admitting 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules.

Toney cannot train with his team until September and cannot play a competitive match until January 16, 2024. He was also fined £50,000.

News of the FA’s investigation into Toney’s excessive betting broke the night before Gareth Southgate announced his England squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Toney believes the timing was deliberate and says missing out on the World Cup was more painful than the ban and subsequent fine.

He told the Kick Game YouTube channel (via Sky Sports): “People try to break people down. How it came out, just before the England camp, obviously missing out on the World Cup.

“In a way, it was kind of like: ‘Get out now so you don’t go [away with] England’.

“And then all of a sudden, they want to wait until the end of the season – but it is what it is. They wanted to do it that way. I call it a bit spiteful. You just have to get on with it.

“I feel that was a bigger punishment, even though I am missing eight months of football. That was a bigger punishment, missing out on the World Cup.

“It’s everybody’s dream. I believe in myself, and hopefully, I can be at the next one.”

Toney has disclosed that he is preparing to return as a different animal. He is not demanding sympathy for his actions.

He confirmed Brentford have been helpful during the process and that many professional footballers reached out to him to offer support.

Toney also highlighted the double standard in football regarding betting and sponsorship of gambling companies.

He believes the incident brought unfair damage to his name, but he will take his time to clear up a few things.