Missing the World Cup was a bigger blow than being banned, says Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney expressed that not being able to play for England in the World Cup last year was a more severe penalty than the extended suspension he is currently serving for violating the Football Association’s (FA) betting regulations.
The Brentford forward, who ended the Premier League season as the third top scorer, confessed to 232 violations of regulations, such as gambling on games he participated in, resulting in an eight-month suspension and a £50,000 penalty.
In November of last year, Toney faced charges from the FA and as a result, he was not selected to be a part of the England team for the World Cup held in Qatar.
” … even though I miss eight months of football, that was the biggest punishment, to miss out on a World Cup – everyone’s dream – it is bigger than missing eight months of football,” Toney told Kick Game YouTube channel.
The independent regulatory commission of the FA has announced that the punishment for Toney has been decreased from 11 months to 8 months because of his gambling addiction and young age.
Toney, who has played for England once, is not allowed to participate in any matches for his club or country until January 16, 2024. However, he can resume training during the last four months of his suspension, beginning on September 17.
“The support is good, but how I am, I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me,” he added.
“I done what I done before, the punishment is the punishment and get on with it. Like I said I just have to focus on when I come back training. I want to be a different animal when I come back. It’s going to be frightening.”
