Ivan Toney is set to be out for the rest of 2023 after he was handed an eight-month ban for betting offences.
The Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that the Brentford striker had admitted to 232 of the 262 total breaches from a period between February 2017 and January 2021. The charges go back to his time with Scunthorpe, when he was out on loan from Newcastle - all the way to with his current employers.
A statement released by the FA reads: "Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football and football-related activity with immediate effect for eight months, fined £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct for breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules.
"The Brentford FC forward was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021. The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches and he admitted to the remaining 232.”
How many matches will he miss?
Without appeal, Toney’s return to competitive football is due to take place on January 17, 2024. By that point of this year, the Bees had played 19 Premier League matches, although the break for the World Cup must be taken into account.
In previous seasons, that date marked gameweek 23 of the season. Including at least one tie in the EFL and FA Cup, the full ban would mean Toney would sit out a minimum of 24 matches.
When can he return to training?
Although the FA have confirmed his ban relates to ‘all football-related’ activity, he WILL be able to train with his Brentford team-mates well before his return to the matchday squad.
“He is permitted to return to training only with his club for the final four months of his suspension starting from 17 September 2023,” the FA statement continues. Brentford boss Thomas Frank has strongly backed the player throughout the process and so it is highly likely he will be welcomed back into the fold with open arms.
What have Brentford said?
The Premier League club released a statement in the minutes after Toney’s suspension which reads: “Brentford FC notes the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to issue an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity to Ivan Toney with immediate effect.
“Ivan was charged with breaches of FA rule E8 and had a personal hearing earlier this week.
“Brentford FC is currently awaiting the publication of the written reasons of the independent Regulatory Commission. We will review them before considering our next steps.”
Toney's statement
The 27-year-old took to social media, and said: "Today I have received notification of my 8-month ban from football following a hearing before an FA Regulatory Commission that took place yesterday. I am naturally disappointed that I will be unable to play for the next 8 months.
"The written reasons for the Commission's decision have not yet been published, so I make no further comment at this point other than to thank my family and friends, Brentford FC and our fans for their continued support, through what has been a very difficult time. I now focus on returning to play the game I love next season."
Appeals process
Ivan Toney will have the chance to appeal the ban, despite admitting to the 232 breaches he has been charged for. Details of what the charges relate to have not yet been confirmed but the FA will publish the full report as soon as possible.
Transfer ramifications
What is yet to be gauged, is how the lengthy suspension will impact the list of clubs who have designs on signing the England international.
Toney has scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season, helping Brentford into ninth place in the table. He has become one of the hottest properties in English football but now his career is facing an uncertain future.
It is a huge blow to Toney’s career as it has potentially wrecked his dream of a big money move as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were watching developments. Brentford may have been willing to sell this summer because Toney will only have two left on his deal.
