Gareth Southgate has slammed the punishment dished out to Ivan Toney - and insisted the banned striker can still make the Euros.
Brentford captain Toney has been given an eight month ban and will not even be allowed to train for the first four months after admitting that he breached the Football Association’s strict rules on betting. The punishment was dished out by an independent commission but Southgate’s stinging rebuke will still be uncomfortable reading for his own bosses at the FA.
Southgate admitted that he has already spoken to Toney, given him assurances over his long-term future - and challenged the FA to punish him if they do not approve.
England boss Southgate made it clear that he is deeply concerned about Toney’s welfare and mental health because he has effectively been ostracised from football.
Southgate said: “I have spoken with him. I don’t know if that’s allowed, by the way. If it isn’t then they can ban me and not add to his. Look, the ban is the ban. It is what it is. I think he recognised and accepted the punishment. What bothers me is we’ve got to look after people.
“He’s injured at the moment, what does he do about getting fit? How do we give him some structure over the next few months so that he can develop himself or be a better person at the end of it or have experiences that he might not experience?
“I don’t like the idea that we just leave somebody so they are not allowed to be a part of the football community. I don’t think that’s how we should work, I don’t think that’s how the best rehabilitation programmes would work.”
Southgate also made it clear that he will have no hesitation in picking Toney again once his ban is finished and he is available to play in January.
Southgate added: “Yeah without a doubt. It is not ideal because he is going to miss a large chunk of the season and you don’t know after that sort of period out how physically he is going to adapt and how he is going to play.
“But it is possible for him. There would still be time. He has really impressed us with the way he has played and I like personality. I like his belief and the way he goes about his job. So everything is still possible with him I think.”
