Southgate defends decision
Brentford FC’s Ivan Toney, 27, has been called up to the England squad after missing the World Cup on his birthday on Thursday, despite the FA’s investigation into the striker for breaching betting rules. The player is threatened with a ban.
Toney is currently third in Premier League goalscoring with 16 league goals. Behind leader Erling Haaland (28 goals) there is only one Englishman in front of him with Harry Kane (20 goals). That was also the case before the start of the World Cup after matchday 16, but Toney was not allowed to travel to Qatar. Now he could play the two qualifiers for the European Championship 2024 against Italy and Ukraine with the “Three Lions”. On Thursday, Toney’s market value was adjusted upwards as part of the Premier League update.
“He plays for his club and is available,” coach Gareth Southgate defended Thursday’s nomination of Toney, who has been accused of 232 betting rule violations. Toney himself acknowledged the violations. However, there has not yet been a disciplinary hearing. Southgate said: “There hasn’t been a trial or a decision, so I don’t know on what basis we shouldn’t nominate him.”
England squad: Four World Cup drivers are missing – Guéhi new
Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling (28), most recently out with a hamstring injury, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (24), Newcastle’s Callum Wilson (31) and Everton’s Conor Coady (30) are absent. New in the squad is Marc Guéhi (22) from Crystal Palace, who made his debut for England last year. Ben Chilwell (26, Chelsea) and Reece James (23, Chelsea), both absent from Qatar, also rejoin the national team.
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Here we go…your #ThreeLions for March camp!
— England (@England) March 16, 2023
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