Ivan Toney, a forward for Brentford, has stated that he is “assisting the Football Association with their investigations” after it was reported in national newspapers that he is being probed for alleged match betting in the past.
The FA declined to comment, but Toney stated via Twitter on Saturday evening. Today, a piece about me appeared in a national newspaper, he said. “I have been aiding the FA with their inquiry and will refrain from commenting until the investigation has concluded.”
Toney, who hopes to be nominated to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2022 World Cup on Thursday, said, “I am a proud Englishman, and it has been my childhood desire to play for my nation at the World Cup finals.
Brentford has also made a brief statement on its website acknowledging its knowledge of the allegations. “We are aware of the report about Ivan Toney and the FA inquiry. The club will have no further comment,” the statement read.
Under FA regulations, players at the Premier League, Football League, National League, Women’s Super League, and Women’s Championship divisions are “prohibited from directly or indirectly betting on any football event or competition held elsewhere in the world.”
The prohibition applies to “betting on any other football-related topic, such as the transfer of players, the hiring of managers, or the selection of teams,” but “the giving of inside information to someone who uses it for betting remains forbidden.”
Toney was included in Southgate’s squad for England’s September Nations League matches against Italy and Germany, although he did not play in either contest as he awaits his senior international debut. This season, the 26-year-old has added eight Premier League goals to his total of 12 from last season.
The forward was suspended for Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend against Wolves. Toney joined Brentford in 2020 for £5m from Peterborough, having begun his career with Northampton and had time on loan at Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Scunthorpe, and Wigan while at Newcastle.
