Toney hit with big ban for breaching FA’s betting rules
call-up and a senior cap.The ban will start immediately.
Toney is effectively banned from his club for four months but can return to training in September and then resume his playing career from January 16.
He was initially charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 between February 25, 2017 and January 23, 2021.The FA withdrew 30 of those breaches and Toney admitted to the rest. The case was heard by an independent regulatory commission and the full details of the bets will be made public when the written reasons are published.
Toney is believed to have insisted he did not bet against his own teams. The FA can ask the independent body to review the length of the ban and Toney can also appeal.
Toney wrote on Twitter: “I am naturally disappointed that I will be unable to play for the next eight months. I make no further comment 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.”
A club statement said: “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.”
Joey Barton was given an 18-month ban – later reduced by five months on appeal – in 2017 after breaching FA rules with 1,260 bets. That is more than Toney but there is a feeling the Bees star could have been given a lengthier suspension.
The FA said: “The independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these sanctions will be published in due course, and the FA will wait to review them.”