Toney blasts FA for ‘leaking’ his guilty plea
IVAN TONEY hit out at the FA last night after reports he is set to be banned for breaching gambling rules and demanded that the governing body conduct a leak investigation.
The Brentford striker, 26, is facing a lengthy ban before the end of the season after pleading guilty to multiple breaches, but contesting others — as revealed by Sportsmail. He has been charged with 262 breaches in total.
And after news broke on Tuesday, the England man wrote on Instagram last night: ‘I was shocked and disappointed to see press speculation yesterday and today about the FA investigation process concerning me after I have been told by the FA that it is a confidential process until any decision has been made.
‘It is especially disturbing for me to read that the FA is saying I shall be banned from football for six months before there has even been a hearing, and it does make me worried about the process.’ Toney, who is set to be ruled out of England’s Nations League matches against Italy and Ukraine as the process continues, called on the
FA to investigate the source of the leaks, after being upset by the way the initial story of his betting charges became public.
‘My lawyers will be writing to the FA to request that they conduct a leak inquiry,’ said Toney.
‘This is the second time stories have appeared in the newspapers — the last times was just before the selection of the England World Cup squad.’