England World Cup hopeful Ivan Toney is being investigated by the FA over allegations he gambled on football.
Toney has not been charged with any offence but it is thought that the investigation has been going on for seven months and has not yet reached its conclusion.
The investigation is understood to relate to alleged gambling activity during his time as a player in the lower leagues and before he moved to Brentford.
It is believed there is no suggestion that the Brentford striker ever gambled on his own team to lose.
Toney, who was picked in Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad but has yet to make his debut, is said to be devastated by the leaking of news of the investigation.
© Provided by Daily Mail Ivan Toney is the subject of an FA investigation over allegations of gambling in the past
He is desperate to play for his country and to make Southgate’s World Cup squad, which will be named on Thursday.
He was proud to be called into the squads for the recent Nations League ties and is hoping that the news of the investigation will not prejudice his chances.
Many view Toney as the ideal back-up for England captain Harry Kane, not only because of the form he has been in for Brentford but because he is a brilliant penalty taker who would be a prime asset if England are involved in shootouts at the World Cup.
The 26-year-old striker is said to be devastated by the leaking of news of the investigation
© Provided by Daily Mail
Toney took to Twitter on Saturday to release a statement. It read: ‘I’m aware of a story about me in a national newspaper today. I have been assisting the Football Association with their enquiries and will not be making any comment until such investigation has reached its conclusion. I am a proud Englishman and it has always been my childhood dream to play for my country at a World Cup Finals.’
Brentford released a short statement on Saturday regarding the investigation, which read: ‘We note the story concerning Ivan Toney and the FA investigation. The club will not be commenting.’