Ivan Toney: Banned footballer bet on own team to lose, says FA

Ivan Toney, who was suspended from all football for eight months after breaking betting rules, backed his own team to lose, the Football Association says.

The England international admitted 232 breaches of betting rules between February 2017 and January 2021 and was banned last week from all football activity until 17 January.

Publishing its written reasons for the eight-month ban, the FA said Toney staked 13 bets on his team to lose in seven different matches between August 2017 and March 2018.

They said: "Of those 29 bets, there were 13 bets on Mr Toney's own team to lose in 7 different matches between 22 August 2017 and 3 March 2018.

"Mr Toney did not play in any of those matches where he placed bets against his loan club as he was not in the match squad or against his parent club as he was on loan.

"Of the 13 bets 11 were against Newcastle whilst Mr Toney was on loan at another club. The other 2 bets related to a game between Wigan v Aston Villa whilst the player was on loan at Wigan but he was not part of the squad."

It did state, however, that: "There is no evidence that Mr Toney did or was even in a position to influence his own team to lose when he placed bets against them winning - he was not in the squad or eligible to play at the time."

FA rules ban players from betting on games or sharing information for betting purposes.

Psychiatrist diagnoses Toney with gambling addiction

The sanctions mean the 27-year-old won't be available to play again until January 2024, although he will be allowed to return to training in September. An independent regulatory commission imposed Toney's sanctions, which included a £50,000 fine.

Psychiatrist Dr Philip Hopley attended Toney's personal hearing and diagnosed that Toney has a gambling addiction.

The written reasons document said: "The commission finds that a significant reduction should be made to reflect the diagnosed gambling addiction identified by Dr Hopley.

"The lack of control the player has in respect of gambling is clearly a reflection of his diagnosed gambling addiction."

Brentford has promised to help Toney, as a club statement read: "The judgement has been published on the FA website. Ivan and Brentford FC accept that offences were committed, and sanctions were inevitable.

"The commission noted that none of the charges related to events where Ivan could negatively impact his own team. The detail is included in the written reasons.

"The club will now be doing everything possible to provide support to Ivan and his family to deal with the issues raised in this case.

"Conversations regarding this and all matters relating to the case will remain confidential in order to protect the player and his family."

They said they consider the matter "closed" and "look forward" to welcoming Toney back to training in September.