Brentford break silence on Ivan Toney’s eight-month ban and vow to support striker and his family
BRENTFORD have released a statement following Ivan Toney’s eight-month suspension from football.
The Bees and England striker, 27, was handed the punishment last week after 232 breaches of the FA’s regulations.
Brentford have insisted the will support Ivan Toney following his banRex
He will not be able to play until January 2024Reuters
On Friday, the details of those breaches were made public.
In the report, the ex-Peterborough man was diagnosed as a gambling addict.
Shortly after that information was released, Toney cryptically tweeted: “I’ll speak soon with no filter.”
But Brentford posted a more extensive statement as they offered their support to the forward – who will not be eligible to play until January 2024.
The club’s statement began: “Brentford FC has received and accepted the written reasons of an independent Regulatory Commission that handed Ivan Toney an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity after he admitted breaches of FA Rule E8, relating to placing bets on football.”
It then went on to add: “The club will now be doing everything possible to provide support to Ivan and his family to deal with the issues raised in this case.
“Conversations regarding this and all matters relating to the case will remain confidential in order to protect the player and his family.
“We consider this matter closed and look forward to welcoming Ivan back to training in September and seeing him representing Brentford in the Premier League in January.”
Later on Friday, Thomas Frank added: “If I can’t speak to him, I guess they will have to ban me as well.
“If I am not allowed to support him there must be something wrong.
“Football and gambling’s relationship needs a review.
“We got a massive reminder. Do we do enough to educate our players?
“The authorities have a massive task to make sure we do this much better.”
The bombshell report explained that Toney:
Placed 13 bets AGAINST his own team – 11 against parent club Newcastle and two against Wigan – between August 2017 and March 2018, while on loan at the LaticsPut 16 bets on his team to win, and 11 time he played in that gameInformed a friend he would start his next club match in March 2018Admitted to lying during his first interview with the FA when questioned about his gambling chargesBet on himself to score in nine different matchesHad his suspension almost halved to eight months for pleading guilty
Toney enjoyed a sensational season for Brentford in which he scored 21 goals in 35 games.
But now he will be sidelined for four months before he can resume training with the rest of his team-mates.
Along with the ban, he was also fined £50,000.
England boss Gareth Southgate revealed on Tuesday that he was concerned by the ban.
He said: “Not being allowed to play is one thing but not being allowed to be within the football community, we have to be really careful how we do that.
“He accepted the punishment. What bothers me is we must look after people. He’s injured, what does he do about getting fit?
“How do we give him structure over the next few months so he can be a better person at the end?
“I don’t like the idea we leave somebody so they aren’t allowed to be part of the football community.
“I don’t think that’s how the best rehabilitation programmes would work.
“I’m not questioning the decision on the ban. I’m thinking about the player and how I help them.”
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
