Brentford striker Ivan Toney claims that his eight-month suspension for gambling has put him in “football prison,” and he has questioned the timing of the allegations that were brought against him.

Toney, who had 20 goals in the Premier League the previous year, was given a suspension in May after breaking 232 of the FA’s betting regulations.

The 27-year-old was, however, charged by the FA in November, excluding him from the England World Cup squad last winter in Qatar.

‘Personally, I feel like it was a bit of a questionable time when they decided to bring it all out, and then when they actually dealt with the situation at the end of the season, I felt like, ‘why did you bring it out then?’,’ Toney said on The Diary of a CEO Podcast.

‘Yes, I’m banned now, but the biggest punishment was me missing out of the World Cup, personally.

‘I felt more hurt and down around the time, like someone was out to get me at the time to stop me playing for England – in my head that’s how I saw it at the time – they want to punish me for this, playing for England at the World Cup – it’s everyone’s dream to play at the World Cup – and then further down the line ban me as well. It’s like a double hit.’

Toney also rejects claims that his gambling, which took place before his stint with Brentford in the Premier League, unfairly influenced games.

‘There were people saying it was match-fixing but none of it was match-fixing,’ the striker said.

‘I was betting on myself to score first from a while back and that’s not… I’m still trying to do the right thing.

‘It’s not like I’m smashing into people for a yellow card here there and everywhere.’

Toney is not allowed to play again until January 17 next year and has been banned from training with Brentford until September 17.

‘The whole football community is big on mental health and then the FA are going to do this and push me away. It’s not a place I want people to feel sorry for me. That’s the last thing that I want,’ Toney said.

‘So, what if someone not as strong as me in the head is going through this situation and their punishment is they are not allowed at the club – that would break them.

‘Right now, not being around the training ground, it does hurt me. I just know when I’m at the training ground, I train harder. It’s not a nice feeling. Not being allowed at the training ground is baffling to me.

‘I’m counting down the days until I can be training and around the boys. It’s like being in football prison at the moment.’

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Gareth Southgate has disclosed that Raheem Sterling did not make his 25-man England squad for the March international break to due fitness concerns.

Sterling has had a challenging first season at his new club Chelsea. Under Graham Potter, he struggled mightily with form and playing time.

Yet under Southgate, Sterling has consistently been one of the best performers at the international level, especially in competitions when England relied on his goal-scoring prowess.

When Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling missed his team’s most recent victory over Leicester due to a hamstring strain, the England manager confirmed in his squad announcement news conference that Sterling’s omission is not due to form but rather fitness.

“Raheem is not fit. I would have selected him if he was,” Southgate confirmed.

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Southgate also spoke about including Kyle Walker and Ivan Toney. Walker is being investigated by the police for indecent exposure, while Toney is being investigated for potential violations of FA betting regulations.

On Toney, Southgate said: “He is playing for his club and available for them. There hasn’t been a trial or any judgement so I don’t know on what basis we wouldn’t pick him.

“Ivan has been consistent across the season. He is playing really well. I like his presence in games. I saw his game against Arsenal where he was outstanding and he deserves his opportunity.”

The Three Lions manager stated that there was no ‘conclusive evidence’ that would lead to Walker being left out of the squad: “It is a complicated situation and I have spoken at length with him. There is no conclusive evidence to leave him out at this stage.

“I have to be very careful not to be the moral judge on things. We want him with us and fell it is the right thing to do. When you are an England international there is an even higher bar on how your conduct yourself.”

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England Head Coach Gareth Southgate has announced his first 2023 squad as they prepare for Euro 2024 qualification. Ivan Toney has been added to the squad, however, Ben White, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Raheem Sterling have been left out.

Toney, a striker for Brentford who was passed over for World Cup duty but now has 16 Premier League goals for the season, rejoins the Three Lions squad.

Although Gareth Southgate is willing to give the 27-year-old forward another chance and disregard the headlines he has been creating off the field this season, Arsenal defender White, who was sent home early from the Middle East, has no place in a first team since Qatar 2022.

After receiving limited playing time at Manchester United this season, Harry Maguire is called upon again, but Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been omitted as further concerns are raised about his defensive abilities. Raheem Sterling of Chelsea will miss the game due to an injury.

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ENGLAND SQUAD IN FULL:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Here we go… your #ThreeLions for March camp! 🦁

— England (@England) March 16, 2023

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Ivan Toney has expressed his “shock and disappointment” at the rumors that he may be banned for 262 violations of the betting laws.

The Brentford attacker was hit with 232 violations of the FA’s gambling regulations between 2017 and 2021 in November, and another 30 violations were added the following month.

Toney admitted before a disciplinary panel that he broke FA regulations, but it’s believed that he’s fighting some of the allegations for offences allegedly committed while he was at Scunthorpe, Wigan, Peterborough, and even Brentford.

Toney’s penalty has not yet been determined by the Independent Regulatory Commission, established by the FA, and a disciplinary hearing is still waiting. But, sources have claimed that the 26-year-old may be facing a six-month suspension from playing football.

In a recent comment on social media, Toney voiced alarm over the “leak” of information pertaining to the probe.

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The Brentford forward wrote on Instagram: “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.

“My lawyers will be writing to the FA to request that they conduct a leak inquiry as this is the second time stories have appeared in the newspapers – the last time was just before the selection of the England World Cup squad. As I continue to be told the investigation is meant to be confidential, I am unable to provide any further comment. I shall continue to concentrate on my football.”

This season, Toney has been in outstanding form for Brentford, scoring 14 goals in 21 Premier League games to move the Bees up to the ninth position in the standings. They are only six points away from a Europa League position, and Toney is still essential to their chances of finishing in the top seven.

In a Premier League match on Monday between Brentford and Fulham, the striker will want to score once more.

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Brentford striker Ivan Toney is expected to get a “lengthy” playing suspension after reportedly pleading guilty to many charges of football betting.

The Daily Mail reports that the 26-year-old has admitted to several of the 262 accusations brought against him by the Football Association (FA) for betting on games, which stretch back to 2017.

Charges were brought against Toney in December, and it has been reported that he will soon appear before the FA for a hearing. A suspension is anticipated to be given before the season is through.

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With the precedent set by incidents involving individuals like Joey Barton, who was banned from football for 18 months (later reduced to 13 months) after admitting to putting 1260 bets on the game, Toney should well anticipate a lengthy suspension from all forms of the game.

According to reports, Toney is “resigned” to getting suspended and will accept his fate. Toney’s 14 goals in the Premier League this season have helped Brentford move up to the ninth position.

The official details of the Toney case will be revealed after the FA hearing, upon which the player will likely issue a statement and the full scale of any suspension or ban will emerge.

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Mikel Arteta has slammed Lee Mason’s “unacceptable” VAR failure to rule out Brentford’s equalizer against Arsenal on Saturday.

An obvious offside in the lead-up to Ivan Toney’s goal, which gave the Bees a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium and cost Arsenal two significant points in the title race, was unnoticed by Mason, who was assigned to the VAR for the Premier League match.

After the game, Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer of PGMOL, called Arsenal to apologize and explain how the offside was missed. Mason was also benched for the upcoming round of games. And while accepting the apologies, Arteta was still incensed over what had transpired.

“We ended the game with a huge anger and disappointment because that wasn’t a human error,” the Arsenal boss said.

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“That was a big, big, big, not understanding your job and that is not acceptable. Everybody makes errors and mistakes and we are part of that, me the first one. But that was something else. I wasn’t having it, the club wasn’t having it and I think it’s clear, the consequences of what happened.

“That cost Arsenal two points and that’s not going to be restored. So we are going to have to find those two points somewhere else in the league.”

When asked if he was satisfied after his conversations with PGMOL that a similar error would not happen again, Arteta added: “I will only be satisfied if they give us the two points back which is not going to be the case.

“I appreciate and I think they were really sincere, open and genuine apologies and explanations, which is really good. But it doesn’t take the fact that we have two less points than we should have on the table.

In the Premier League on Wednesday night, the Gunners host Manchester City.

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Manchester United and Leeds United have released a joint statement slamming both sets of supporters for their hateful chants about historical tragedies.

It happened while United was winning the game 2-0, thanks to goals in the second half from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

The short statement read: “Both clubs strongly condemn chanting from both sets of fans regarding historic tragedies at today’s game.

“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will continue to work together with our respective fan groups and the Premier League, and other authorities on eradicating it from football.”

The chants in question were directed towards the Munich air disaster and Istanbul.

The air crash in 1958 saw the majority of Man Utd’s team at the time killed.

British European Airways Flight 609 attempted a third takeoff from the runway at Munich-Riem Airport, which resulted in the deaths of 23 persons in total, including eight players.

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Istanbul is in reference to Leeds’ 2000 Uefa Cup semifinal matchup with Galatasaray.

Before the game, there were fan fights that led in the stabbing deaths of two Leeds fans.

It comes after Brentford’s Ivan Toney was the victim of racist abuse following his side’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Toney scored a last-second equalizer in the game, but after the match, ugly trolls harassed him with racial remarks on his Instagram page.

In a statement, the Bees said: “We are disgusted and saddened that Ivan has had to deal with this yet again.

“We will not tolerate it and we will do everything we can to pursue the individuals involved.

“Ivan was subject to similar abuse in October last year, and the perpetrator is now facing the consequences in court.

“There is no room for racism.”

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On Boxing Day, Tottenham overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 against Brentford. As Brentford and Tottenham split the points in a thrilling 2-2 draw to kick off Premier League play again after the World Cup, Harry Kane and Ivan Toney each scored after a challenging few weeks for the duo.

A fierce and competitive London derby marked the Premier League’s return, as Antonio Conte’s team made things difficult for themselves before salvaging a point.

Bryan Mbeumo’s cross found Mathias Jensen in the 15th minute, and his shot was softly deflected by Fraser Forster into Vitaly Janelt’s path for a straightforward tap-in as Spurs trailed for the ninth straight game.

Dejan Kulusevski’s nimble entrance off the right channel, rounding Ben Mee, and shot into David Raya’s hands gave Tottenham their first half-sight of goal.

Son Heung-min forced Raya into more of a stretching save from 25 yards soon after, while Forster produced a stop with his leg to keep out Mathias Jorgensen’s half-volley.

When Jensen robbed Yves Bissouma and sent Ivan Toney sprinting away, beating Forster, and shooting into an empty net, Brentford felt they had added a second goal, but the offside flag was raised.

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As expected, Tottenham increased their effort at the start of the second half and came dangerously close to splitting the Bees open. Mee reacted quickly to clear a low cross from Ivan Perisic that was destined for Kulusevski to tap in.

Harry Kane was incensed that he was not awarded a penalty when he was hauled to the ground by Mee with another cross from Perisic waiting to be met in the minutes that followed.

But Brentford doubled their lead after Eric Dier’s sliced pass trickled behind him for a corner, and Christian Norgaard’s flick-on from Bryan Mbeumo’s delivery was tapped in by Toney.

Spurs pulled one back when a deep cross from Clement Lenglet was met by a rising Kane, who got above Mee and headed past Raya.

A mix-up in the area allowed Mbeumo to find some space and get to Rico Henry’s cutback, but the Cameroonian leant back and missed the opportunity to give the hosts a third.

With 20 minutes remaining, Kulusevski’s low cross was deflected back into Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s path, who stroked the ball into the upper left corner to tie the game once more.

At one end, Brentford felt Matt Doherty’s dive was egregious, but referee David Coote did not book him; instead, he cautioned Mbeumo for attempting to buy Forster a penalty.

Substitute Davinson Sanchez nearly completed the comeback with a scorching volley from distance, though it was held by a grateful Raya. Kane beat the Spaniard to a cross soon after but saw his header come back off the bar.

Mads Roerslev’s header at the other end was deflected back into Toney’s path, but the striker could only push a volley over the top.

Deep into stoppage time, Son’s curling attempt was stopped by Raya, but Brentford managed to hold on and get a point.

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The situation involving Ivan Toney has left Brentford FC supporters perplexed, and the football club has now issued a statement regarding the betting scandal.

The Englishman was charged with breaking the Football Association’s wagering regulations. The suspected violations, according to reports from the association, occurred between 2017 when Toney was at Newcastle and 2021 when he transferred from Peterborough, which was initially ranked at 232, to Brentford.

After allegedly breaking the Football Association’s betting rules an extra 30 times, the England international has been charged a second time.

On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, Brentford released a statement on its official website. The player has been accused by the FA of new alleged betting rule violations, the club has confirmed.

The Bees confirmed that private conversations have continued between Toney and his representatives on the situation.

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“Ivan Toney has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules,” an FA statement read.

“In addition to the previous charge, it is alleged that the Brentford FC forward breached FA Rule E8 a further 30 times between 14 March 2017 and 18 February 2019.

“Ivan Toney has until Wednesday 4 January 2023 to provide a response.”

Current FA rules forbid players in the top six divisions of English men’s football from betting on any football match anywhere in the world, as well as related markets such as transfers and manager changes.

The rules extend to the players in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship.

Following the initial charges last month, Brentford released a statement saying: “The club has been in discussion with Ivan and his legal representatives about this matter and those conversations will continue privately.

“We will make no further comment until the matter has been completed.”

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Brentford stunned Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad on Saturday thanks to a brace from striker Ivan Toney. Manchester City suffered a rare home defeat as they were hit by an Ivan Toney sucker punch in stoppage time, meaning that Arsenal will be spending Christmas atop the Premier League.

It was the visitors that began the stronger, with Ederson producing two great saves in the first 10 minutes

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Toney, who was not named to England’s World Cup team this week, opened the score for Brentford in the 16th minute, flicking home Ben Mee’s header.

City equalized just before halftime when Phil Foden connected with a deflected pass and sent it rocketing into the top right corner of the goal, but Toney was the hero in the 98th minute when he tucked in a close range drive to give Brentford the victory.

City are now second in the rankings, two points behind champions Arsenal, who play Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday; Brentford are tenth. Saturday, meanwhile Brentford sit in 10th.

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Gareth Southgate has named his 23-man squad for England’s match against Germany at Wembley Stadium on Monday night, which excludes Liverpool and Manchester City stars.

In the biggest and perhaps most controversial omission, Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has not been included for what is the Three Lions’ last game before November’s World Cup.

Jack Grealish of Manchester City has also been excluded, though this is due to a suspension after receiving his second yellow card of the Nations League season during the loss to Italy last Friday.

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen are the other names to have failed to make the cut.

It was anticipated that Southgate would use the Germany match to try out more inexperienced players given that England had already been demoted from the top division of the Nations League after collecting just one point in five games and failing to score from open play in any of them.

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However, this does not appear to be the case, with Alexander-Arnold now in serious danger of missing out on a place on the plane to Qatar.

The 23-year-old right-back hasn’t played for England frequently under Southgate because Kyle Walker of Manchester City, Kieran Trippier of Newcastle, and Reece James of Chelsea are ahead of him in the lineup.

Tomori’s omission has also drawn criticism, given how well the 24-year-old has performed since moving from Chelsea to Milan last year, and the struggles of more established England centre-backs like Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who was previously left out of the squad to face Italy, is one player who has been added to the squad to face Germany and could earn his first international cap.

After an incredible start to the season in which he has scored five goals and provided three assists in just eight games for the Bees, the 26-year-old was called up to England for the first time ever for the September international break.

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