IVAN TONEY could be banned for “at least six months” after admitting to breaching FA betting rules, according to reports.
The Brentford striker was charged with 232 alleged breaches between 2017 and 2021 last November, and another 30 a month later.
Toney, 26, admitted to many of the 262 charges, but has contested others.
The forward has now submitted his response to the FA, who will assess it before setting a hearing date.
An Independent Regulatory Commission will then be tasked with reaching a verdict and deciding on a potential punishment, based on the evidence at their disposal.
According to Sky Sports, Toney is expected to be banned for a minimum of six months.
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Thomas Frank’s side would like a verdict to be reached as soon as possible, so that Toney could begin a ban without interrupting too much of next season.
The fallow months of June and July would be included as time served by Toney.
It is not anticipated that the FA will finish assessing Toney’s response for a while – with an April hearing likely.
The striker has scored 26 Prem goals across two seasons for the Bees.
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There is no suggestion that Toney placed wagers on any matches – which took place between 2017 and 2021 – in which he was involved.
Toney, 26, was on loan from Newcastle at Wigan and Scunthorpe during the early part of that period before his moves to Peterborough and Brentford, whom he joined in 2020
England star Kieran Trippier was penalised for breaking FA betting rules after telling a friend to “lump on” ahead of his transfer from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Trippier did not directly place a bet but following an investigation he was banned from football activity for ten weeks and fined £70,000.
In 2016 Joey Barton was found to be in breach of the betting rules after placing 1,260 bets over a period of ten years.
The following April he was banned for 18 months, effectively ending his career as he retired instead of deciding to appeal his punishment.
Former England striker Daniel Sturridge was banned for four months and fined £150,000 in January 2018 after being found guilty of passing on information relating to his transfer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
