Brentford striker Ivan Toney is hoping to make England’s final squad for the World Cup in Qatar this month
(Picture: Getty Images)Ivan Toney says he is assisting the FA with their enquiries amid newspaper allegations regarding gambling on football.
The Mail on Sunday this weekend claimed that the Brentford striker, who is hoping to make England’s final squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, is the subject of a seven-month FA investigation concerning alleged betting activity that took place before he joined the Bees.
The report claimed no conclusion had yet been reached, with no suggestion that Toney ever gambled on his own team to lose.
The 26-year-old played for Northampton, Newcastle and Peterborough before joining Brentford in August 2020 in a deal that could be worth £10million, with loan spells at Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Scunthorpe and Wigan.
Toney publicly acknowledged the report on Saturday night with a tweet that read: “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.
“I am a proud Englishman and it has always been my childhood dream to play for my country at a World Cup Finals.'”
A short Brentford statement said they were aware of the story but would not be making any further comment at this time.
“We note the story concerning Ivan Toney and the FA investigation. The club will not be commenting,” the Bees relayed through their official website, with the FA not commenting.
It remains to be seen if such allegations will have any impact on Toney’s hopes of making England’s World Cup squad, having received his first senior call-up in September but still awaiting his debut after not being picked by Gareth Southgate for Nations League matches against Italy and Germany.
The former record goalscorer in the Championship - whom many believe would be ideal support or foil for talismanic Three Lions captain Harry Kane in Qatar - has been in impressive form for Brentford so far this term, scoring eight goals in 14 appearances across all competitions. Only Erling Haaland, Kane and Aleksandar Mitrovic have netted more in the Premier League.
Toney was suspended for Saturday’s last-gasp 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolves last weekend.
