Brentford striker Ivan Toney faces a prolonged ban after being charged by the English Football Association for 232 alleged breaches of betting guidelines over a four-year interval.
The 26-year-old, who had been in rivalry for England’s World Cup squad, final week admitted he was aiding the FA with its investigation into historic breaking of playing guidelines.
The alleged breaches stretch from 2017, when Toney was on Newcastle’s books, to 2021, after he had joined Brentford from Peterborough.
In an announcement the FA stated: “Ivan Toney has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the FA’s betting guidelines.
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“It is alleged that the Brentford FC ahead breached FA rule E8 232 instances between February 25, 2017 and January 23, 2021.”
The guidelines ban gamers from betting on any soccer match, even video games wherein they don’t seem to be concerned.
England right-back Kieran Trippier was banned for 10 weeks by the FA in December 2020 for giving out information for others to bet on his transfer from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid.
Toney had been called up to England’s recent Nations League in September but was omitted when Gareth Southgate named his travelling party to Qatar.
He responded by scoring twice in a shock 2-1 win for the Bees over Manchester City on Saturday.
“The club has been in discussion with Ivan and his legal representatives about this matter and those conversations will continue privately,” Brentford stated in an announcement.
“We will make no additional remark till the matter has been accomplished.”
When news of the FA probe broke on November 6, Toney wrote on Twitter: “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.”
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