ENGLAND star Ivan Toney has been diagnosed as a gambling addict who bet on his own clubs to lose 13 times, it has been revealed.
Brentford striker Toney was slapped with an eight-month ban from football by the Football Association for 232 betting breaches.
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Toney, 27, was diagnosed as a gambling addict and admitted to lying to the FA.
The striker could have been hit with a much harsher penalty of 15 months.
However, the governing body decided to cut his ban in half after he admitted his guilt and addiction.
In the FA’s bombshell report it was revealed that Toney:
- Placed 13 bets against his own team – 11 against parent club Newcastle and two against Wigan – between August 2017 and March 2018, while on loan at the Latics
- Informed a friend he would start his next club match in March 2018
- Admitted to lying during his first interview with the FA when questioned about his gambling charges
- Bet on himself to score in nine different matches
- Had his suspension almost halved to eight months for pleading guilty
A shock statement from the FA read: “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.
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“The other two 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.
“A further 15 of the 126 bets or instructions to bet were placed by Mr Toney to score in 9 different matches all of which he played in.”
A statement from Brentford read: “Brentford FC has received and accepted the written reasons of an independent Regulatory Commission that handed Ivan Toney an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity after he admitted breaches of FA Rule E8, relating to placing bets on football.
“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.”
Soon after the FA’s report, Toney cryptically tweeted: “I’ll speak soon with no filter.”
Toney’s ban means he will not be able to play football until January 16.
He is also not allowed to train with Brentford or England until September 17.
The forward also received a £50,000 fine.
Toney has been capped once by the Three Lions and he has scored 20 Premier League goals this season.
England boss Gareth Southgate revealed on Tuesday that he was concerned by the ban.
He said: “Not being allowed to play is one thing but not being allowed to be within the football community, we have to be really careful how we do that.
“He accepted the punishment. What bothers me is we must look after people. He’s injured, what does he do about getting fit?
“How do we give him structure over the next few months so he can be a better person at the end?
“I don’t like the idea we leave somebody so they aren’t allowed to be part of the football community.
“I don’t think that’s how the best rehabilitation programmes would work.
“I’m not questioning the decision on the ban. I’m thinking about the player and how I help them.”
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
- For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.