England and Brentford player Ivan Toney diagnosed as a gambling addict who bet on his own team to lose 13 times

England and Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been diagnosed as a gambling addict who bet his own clubs to lose 13 times before being banned from playing football for eight months by the Football Association.

The 27-year-old footballer also admitted lying to the FA about football betting and providing inside information to a friend about when he was starting a game.

Toney gave a six-word response on Friday, promising to give his real thoughts soon without a “filter.”

In the FA’s explosive written report, released today, it is revealed that Toney:

• Placed 13 bets on own team between August 2017 and March 2018, including 11 against parent club Newcastle while on loan at Wigan
• Told a friend he would start his club’s next game in March 2018
• Used other people’s accounts to place bets despite initially denying the allegations
• Admitted to lying in first FA interview when asked about gambling charges
• Suspected of having a separate mobile phone for placing bets, which he did not hand over to the FA when they investigated.
• Still betting on other sports and casino games and ‘committed to solving his gambling problem with therapy’ during the ban

The governing body was set to issue Toney a 15-month ban due to the nature of the offenses, but cut the suspension nearly in half because he pleaded guilty and was diagnosed with a drug addiction. game by a psychiatrist expert.

It was also stated that Toney did not play in any of the games he bet against his parent club.

A section of the FA report on Friday said: “Of these 29 bets, there were 13 bets on Mr Toney’s own team to lose in 7 different matches between 22nd August 2017 and 3rd March 2018.”

‘M. Toney did not play in any of those matches where he placed bets against his loan club as he was not in the match squad or against his parent club as he was on loan.

“Of the 13 bets, 11 were against Newcastle while Mr Toney was on loan at another club.

‘The other 2 bets were for a game between Wigan v Aston Villa when the player was on loan at Wigan but not in the squad.

“Another 15 of 126 bets or betting instructions were placed by Mr. Toney to score in 9 different matches in which he all played.

“All of these 15 bets or betting instructions were initiated by Mr. Toney at a time when it would not have been public knowledge that he was starting or playing in the match.”

The FA then revealed that Toney had now been diagnosed with gambling addiction and had been advised to seek professional help.

“The Commission is aware of a report from Dr Philip Hopley dated February 2, 2023 who also attended the hearing by videoconference to answer questions.

‘dr. Hopley had interviewed Mr. Toney twice and concluded in his report that Mr. Toney had a clear history of gambling addiction.

“It is not necessary to set out the details of the report in these reasons. It was Dr. Hopley’s conclusion that Mr. Toney needed professional help with his addiction.

“The position appears to be that Mr Toney has stopped betting on football although he still bets on other sports and casino games. He is determined to resolve his gambling problem with therapy at the end of this season’

Toney pleaded guilty to the majority of 262 betting charges brought by the FA last year, with an independent disciplinary committee imposing an eight-month suspension and a £50,000 fine following a hearing this month.

The ban will prevent Toney from playing until January 16 next year, reflecting both the number of offenses and the fact that bets were placed over a long four-year period between February 2017 and January 2021.

The striker won’t even be allowed to train with Brentford until September, leaving him with no choice but to train alone to stay fit.