Ivan Toney’s Return to Brentford After Gambling Ban

English Premier League club FC Brentford can now rely on the services of their striker Ivan Toney again. His suspension for breaches of the English Football Association’s betting rules expired on January 16, 2024.

Ambitious Goals After Suspension

In May 2023, Ivan Toney was given an eight-month ban and a fine of around €57,000 for a total of 232 violations of the English betting rules. This included a breach of FA Rule E8, which prohibits players from betting on football matches or sharing information with third parties.

After his suspension, according to The Guardian, Toney is back in FC Brentford’s squad and will be available for the team’s next Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on January 20 at 18:30 GMT.

Toney expressed his desire to play for a top club and hinted at a possible move to an English elite team. He has scored 32 goals in 64 Premier League games for FC Brentford since joining the team in 2020. Potential suitors like FC Chelsea and FC Arsenal might have to pay an estimated transfer fee of up to €117 million.

Ivan Toney’s Football Career

Born on March 16, 1996, in Northampton, England, Ivan Toney began his career in the youth teams of his hometown club, Northampton. He has played for Wigan Athletic, Newcastle United, and Peterborough before joining FC Brentford in the 2020/2021 season.

Known for his goal-scoring abilities, Toney finished third in the Premier League’s top scorers list in the 2022/2023 season with 20 goals. He also made his debut for the England national team in a match against Ukraine.

Sports Betting in England: Potential FA-Club Owners Deal?

In addition to players like Ivan Toney, the English FA is facing allegations of involvement in sports betting. There are suspicions of collusion between club owners and the FA, allowing Premier League club owners to participate in online sports betting, contrary to FA regulations. The FA has not yet addressed these allegations.