National soccer player Ivan Toney, suspended for violating the rules of betting by the English Football Association (FA), is addicted to gambling, according to the association.
That emerges from the 25-page report of the FA commission, which had significantly reduced his originally planned ban due to the diagnosis.
The 27-year-old Brentford striker is said to have lied several times when questioned by the FA and was initially set to be suspended for 15 months. However, because he finally pleaded guilty, the sentence was reduced to eleven months. The suspension was reduced to eight months after a psychiatrist who testified in the investigation diagnosed Toney’s gambling problem and recommended professional help for the footballer.
Brentford FC want to support Ivan Toney
Toney had repeatedly bet on Brentford FC games, but the FA Commission ruled out a case of match-fixing. Toney was said to be in no position to influence the team at the time he bet against his club winning because he was on loan to another club at the time.
Toney has now stopped betting on football games – but not on other sports. He is determined to get his gambling addiction under control through therapy. Brentford FC said the club will do everything in their power to support Ivan Toney and his family in the matter. The case is considered closed.