Brentford striker Ivan Toney calls for a ‘leak enquiry’ after Sportsmail reported that he is pleading guilty to many of his 262 gambling charges – releasing a statement to say he found it ‘disturbing’ to read the FA could ban him for six months
- Ivan Toney has released a statement over reports he could face a six-month ban
- The Brentford forward has been charged with 262 gambling offences
- He said he was ‘disturbed’ by speculation but vowed to focus on his football
Ivan Toney took the extraordinary step of demanding the FA open a leak inquiry after Sportsmail revealed he has admitted to breaching betting regulations.
The Brentford striker is facing a lengthy ban after admitting many of the 262 charges brought by the FA at the end of last year.
Toney is angry that his intention to plead guilty has been made public and appears to be blaming the FA for Sportsmail’s revelations.
The 26-year-old also hit out at claims that he will be banned for six months, although that claim did not feature in this newspaper’s report.
‘I was shocked and disappointed to see press speculation yesterday and today about the FA investigation process concerning me after I have been told by the FA that it is a confidential process until any decision has been made,’ Toney wrote on Instagram.
Ivan Toney has responded to reports he could be banned from football over betting charges
The Brentford striker said he was ‘disturbed’ by the reports in a statement on social media
‘It is especially disturbing for me to read that the FA is saying I shall be banned from football for six months before there has even been a hearing and it does make me worried about the process.
‘My lawyers will be writing to the FA to request that they conduct a leak inquiry, as this is the second time stories have appeared in the newspapers – the last time was just before the selection for the England World Cup squad.
‘As I continue to be told the investigation is meant to be confidential, I am unable to provide any further comment and shall continue to concentrate on my football.’
Toney was charged with 232 cases of breaking betting rules in November, with the charges occurring between February 2017 and January 2021. The following month, Toney was charged with a further 30 alleged breaches of FA betting rules.
The FA will now go through his response before issuing a hearing date. It will then be down to an Independent Regulatory Commission to reach a verdict and issue a subsequent punishment.
Toney was issued with 262 charges by the FA in December for betting on football
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