Brentford striker Ivan Toney has a gambling addiction, an independent regulatory commission has found.
The written reasons for the eight-month betting ban imposed on the Brentford forward were published on Friday and it found Toney had bet on himself to score in addition to betting on his own club to lose during a four-year period.
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.”
Toney was charged with 262 betting offences in November and after he admitted 232 breaches.
An independent regulatory commission imposed Toney’s sanctions, which included a £50,000 fine, following a personal hearing and he is not able to train with club side Brentford until September 17.
Psychiatrist Dr Philip Hopley attended Toney’s personal hearing and diagnosed that Toney has a gambling addiction.
Ivan Toney had a gambling addiction.
If it was any other medically recognised mental health issue, he wouldn’t be expected to be a walking billboard for it every week. pic.twitter.com/pIT1FZvTT9
— The Big Step (@the_bigstep) May 26, 2023
“The commission finds that a significant reduction should be made to reflect the diagnosed gambling addiction identified by Dr Hopley,” the written reasons document said.
“The lack of control the player has in respect of gambling is clearly a reflection of his diagnosed gambling addiction.
“The present case is not one of match-fixing. If it was, the charges would have been pursued under different provisions.
“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.”
A new report has revealed details behind Chelsea’s failure to sign Nigeria international Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window.
Former England midfielder Paul Merson insists Ivan Toney is unlikely to play for the Three Lions again after swapping Brentford for Saudi Arabia.
After their dominance in the 2023 summer window, Saudi Arabia are back with their sportwashing signings. Here’s all the money floating around.
Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli are highly unlikely to sign both Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen unless they sell a foreign player, according to reports.
Ivan Toney is expected to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli after agreeing a three-year contract worth around £50million, according to a report.
Arsenal are reportedly ‘readying a bid’ for Ivan Toney in a development that Brentford hope can ‘create a bidding war’ with Chelsea for the 28-year-old.
© Planet Sport Limited 2024 • All Rights Reserved