Not so long ago, Brentford FC fans were rooting for their prolific striker Ivan Toney to be included in the England squad for the just-ended FIFA World Cup in Qatar – Now they are left in disbelief at the unfolding betting scandal.
The 26-year-old English Premier League footballer has been charged for the second time by the Football Association (FA) with betting violations.
Toney, who has scored 10 goals in 14 matches so far in the EPL 2022/2023 season, first ran into trouble with the FA a few years ago.
When Toney failed to make the England squad for Qatar, Brentford manager Thomas Frank said he was “disappointed”.
On Tuesday it emerged that the FA has again charged Toney with breaking the Football Associations wagering regulations.
The suspected violations allegedly took place in 2017 when Toney was at Newcastle and were suspected to have continued until last year after Toney transferred from Peterborough to Brentford.
Brentford has since issued a statement confirming that Toney had been charged by the FA with new alleged betting rule violations.
After allegedly breaking the FAs betting rules another 30 times, Toney has been charged again.
The West London side said, “private conversations” were going on with the footballer and his representatives.
Fan adulation has turned into despicable abuse of the player, prompting the club to state: “Last night, Ivan Toney was subjected to disgusting, racist abuse via a direct message received on social media.
“Ivan will receive the full backing from the Club and from the Brentford fans who we have already seen condemning the abuse.”
FULL BRENTFORD FC STATEMENT: Club Statement | Brentford FChttps://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-club-statement-ivan-toney-racist-abuse
All in all, Toney – whose club is ironically sponsored by South African firm Hollywoodbets – has been charged with violating betting rules 232 times and he faces a lengthy ban if he is found guilty of the alleged offences.
