Wayne Lumbasi
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been charged by the Football Association over 232 alleged breaches of betting rules over a four-year period. The Brentford attacker has until November 24 to respond after he previously stated he was cooperating with an investigation into any alleged infringements.
The alleged violations span from 2017, when Toney was on Newcastle’s books, to 2021, when he joined Brentford from Peterborough.
Toney was a contender for England’s World Cup squad, having been called up for the recent Nations League fixtures, but was omitted when Gareth Southgate announced his final selection last week.The FA has strict betting rules and if a player is found guilty it can impose “financial penalties, suspensions, and in some instances, lifetime bans.”
Brentford said in a statement: “Brentford FC has been informed that Ivan Toney has been charged with breaches of FA Rule E8.”
“The club has been in discussion with Ivan and his legal representatives about this matter and those conversations will continue privately.”
“We will make no further comment until the matter has been completed.”
Toney has been in fine form for Brentford this season, with 10 top-flight goals in 14 appearances so far across the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.That includes a double in the Bees’ final game before the World Cup break, as he struck twice to stun champions Manchester City in a 2-1 victory.
