Ivan Toney has been diagnosed as a gambling addict, and because of this, his eight-month ban has been reduced to three months. He was diagnosed because he bet on his own clubs to lose matches, including the ones he has played. According to the English Football Association (FA), he placed 13 solid bets on his own club, which is a breach of the FA gambling regulation.
The Brentford striker was banned from all football activities for some months, and now the case has taken a new twist. The question is what caused his addiction to gambling as a player and even betting on his winning clubs to win or lose, including the ones he played.
What caused Toney's addiction to gambling?
The English FA has released a written explanation of why Ivan Toney was diagnosed as a gambling addict. He breached 232 betting rules after admitting to the FA that he had lied about betting and also for providing inside information to his friend when he was starting a game.
He was banned until January 17th, but as of now, he can continue to play or train with his team until September 17th. A psychiatric expert, Dr. Philip Hopely, who spoke on Toney's gambling issues to the regulatory commission, said the England international needed help with his addiction. Toney also bet through third parties and deleted relevant messages from his phone. As part of his punishment, he was also fined Ł50,000. However, of these 232 breaches;
He placed 13 bets on his own team between August 2017 and March 2018, with 11 of those bets made against Newcastle United, his parents club, while he was on loan at Wigan.
Of those 29 matches, the remaining 13 were on Toney's team to lose, and he did not play in any of those matches.
11 of the 13 bets were against Newcastle while he was on loan to another club.
Suspected of having a separate mobile phone to place bets, which he did not hand over to the FA during the investigation.
Used other people's accounts to place bets despite denying the allegations leveled against him.
15 of the bets were placed on Toney to score, while it is not public knowledge that he will start.
Two of the bets were related to a game between Wigan and Aston Villa while he was on loan at Wigan but not part of the squad.
Of those 29 matches, 16 were on his own team to win 15 different matches, and Toney played in 11 of those matches.
What his managers said:
The England manager, Gareth Southgate, was very critical and passionate about the issue, and he said, The football community should rather do more to support Toney instead of crucifying him about his gambling breach.
The statement from his club, Brentford, also reads: "The club will do everything possible to provide support to Ivan and his family to deal with the issues raised in this case. Conversations regarding this and all matters related to this case will remain confidential to protect the family.
We consider this matter closed, and we look forward to welcoming Toney back to the club in September and the EPL season in January, the club said.
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