Brentford Vow To Help Banned Ivan Toney Over 'Gambling Addiction'

Premier League club Brentford have pledged to help Ivan Toney after an independent commission report revealed the banned England striker has a gambling addiction. Toney is serving an eight-month suspension after he admitted 232 breaches of the Football Association's betting rules. The independent regulatory commission imposed the sanctions, which included a 50,000 pounds ($62,000) fine, following a personal hearing. He is not able to train with Brentford until September 17, with his return to match action set for January next year.

Psychiatrist Philip Hopley attended Toney's personal hearing and diagnosed that the forward has a gambling addiction.

As a result of that verdict, the commission reduced an 11-month sanction by three months in their final ruling.

"The commission finds that a significant reduction should be made to reflect the diagnosed gambling addiction identified by Dr Hopley," the written reasons document, published on Friday, said.

"The lack of control the player has in respect of gambling is clearly a reflection of his diagnosed gambling addiction."

Toney's breaches of FA rules took place over five seasons, from 2017 to 2021 when he played for Newcastle, Peterborough and moved to Brentford in 2020.

The forward placed 13 bets on his own team to lose in seven different matches during the 2017/18 season -- 11 of those bets were against Newcastle when he was out on loan away from the St James' Park club.

Two other bets were placed on a game between Wigan and Aston Villa, but Toney, on loan at Wigan at the time, was not involved in the matchday squad.

The England international also bet on his own team to win 15 different matches and himself to score in nine different matches, the commission found.

But the