Brentford's England international center forward Ivan Toney summoned by FA over alleged betting activities speculations..

2022-11-07 10:32

Brentford



Daily Mail reported on Sunday, citing the gossip newspaper The Sun, that Brentford's England international center forward Ivan Toney has been summoned by the English Football Association (FA) for investigation over alleged betting activities.


According to reports, the allegations occurred while Toney was still playing for a lower league club in England before moving to Brentford. It is reported that the FA has been investigating the matter for seven months, but so far, they have not found conclusive evidence, so Toney has not been formally sentenced yet.


Regarding his involvement in the allegations of suspected betting activities, Toney posted on his personal official Twitter account on the same evening local time after the incident was exposed that: "I saw it in some of the allegations against me in national newspapers today. I have been working hand in hand to assist the FA's investigation into me, I will not make any comment until the results of the investigation were conclusive, I am proud to be British, and being selected for the national team for the World Cup is a part of a big dream of my childhood."


As for the English Football Association (FA), they have issued a statement on the official Twitter account through its spokesperson, saying that the authorities view allegations of football players involved in gambling activities particularly strict. They declined to give any comment on the matter for the time being.


Meanwhile, Brentford wrote: "We are acknowledged of reports about Ivan Toney being investigated by the FA. The club has no comment on this matter."


According to the rules of the FA, all players in the Premier League, the English professional football leagues, non-league league and the Women's Super League, as well as the English women's national team level, are prohibited from participating in any betting activities at all times.


The regulations clearly read: "Participants covered by the ban will be prohibited from either directly or indirectly betting on any football championship or any game or matter held anywhere in the world, and this also includes a global ban on betting on any other football-related betting matters. For example, player transfers, manager hiring or club/team options. Also, it is prohibited to pass inside information to those who use that information to place bets.”


In the past, Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and former Liverpool center forward Daniel Sturridge were also suspended for alleged gambling activities, the latter even had his contract terminated by former club Trabzonspor, and still haven't really got a platform to prove himself as a professional footballer again.


Toney, 26, is a member of England's senior national team and was called up to play against Italy and Germany in the Nations League in September, but has yet to make his senior national team debut.


Toney joined Brentford for £5m in the summer of 2020 and scored 33 goals in his first season to help the Bees promoted to the Premier League as Championship play-off winners.


Last season, Tony scored 12 goals in the Premier League, and has also scored 8 goals so far this season. With such a good form, he has become one of the player in focus of the England national team head coach Gareth Southgate, as consideration as a member of the national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.