The FA cause a stir on social media with a ‘sympathetic view’ over Harry Toffolo’s betting ban compared to that of Ivan Toney.
The 28-year-old Nottingham Forest defender has been given a suspended five-month ban and fined over £20,000 after admitting to 375 breaches of the FA’s betting rules. The FA said the written reasons for the decisions “will be published in due course”.
The offences were committed between 2014 and 2017 at a time when he was a Norwich player. He spent time on loan at the likes of Swindon, Rotherham, Peterborough and Scunthorpe during that time.
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Toffolo hasn’t placed a bet in over six years before his case was flagged by the Football Association.
He had struggled to get his career going, in danger of falling out of the Football League and looked for help with the support of his family.
But he has gone on to turn his career around by reaching the Premier League and also been supportive in community schemes for the clubs he has played for.
According to the Mirror, the FA viewed the Toffolo betting situation with more sympathy and were more supportive because he took steps to recovery and saw him as a good example of turning things around.
“Nottingham Forest’s Harry Toffolo has been given a five-month suspension, which has been suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season, and £20,956.22 fine for misconduct in relation to our betting rules,” the FA said in a statement.
“The defender admitted that he breached FA Rule E1(b) 375 times between 22 January 2014 and 18 March 2017, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course.”
In May the FA gave Brentford striker Ivan Toney an immediate ban of eight months after he admitted to 232 breaches of their betting rules.
Toney was diagnosed with a gambling addiction, and given the ban from football for breaking the FA rules, including betting against his own team.
He was banned from training until the 17th of September and is unable to play again until the 17th of January 2024.
SEE MORE: Ivan Toney opens up honestly on his eight month ban, his mental health, and gambling
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) September 13, 2023
As mentioned, the FA cause a stir with a ‘sympathetic view’ over Harry Toffolo’s betting ban compared to Ivan Toney…
@KevinRM101: Make it make sense? Ok. One was current betting, involving his own team and they then lied to investigators. The other was 7-9 years ago, didn’t involve games they were playing in and the player immediately cooperated. I’ll leave you to “make sense” of which one was which.
@JustinHearn1: The timing of this seems slightly ridiculous. Club have brought in players in that position – they would not want to risk losing a player from their 25. And now he has no opportunity for a loan elsewhere. Why has it taken so long to come to that decision?
@MikeB237: That’s an oddly specific amount to be fined.
@e_nottmforest: Big difference! @ivantoney24 bet on himself and his own team and purposely did things in game to make sure he won his few quid… Toffs were all external bets!
@MightBeBray: read the facts hahaha
@DJA_7: One lied to cover it up. Other didn’t.
@JBrianR91: Toney offenses worse given the teams involved and he lied about it to investigators during the process.
Toffolo offences were 6-7 years ago, didn’t involve any teams he played for and he immediately admitted it and cooperated with Investigators.
@JoshuaHirst13: Far more bets in less time than Toney, yet he doesn’t even get a ban unless he bets again I’m pretty sure. And there wasn’t a massive media campaign against Toffolo as well. I am certain people had it out for Toney, because the way his case was handled seems completely unique
@teamslikeLuton: One lied about it, and the other admitted it. It’s not hard.
@brayash24: The FA, Football League and football as a whole have played their part in this. Gambling advertising is everywhere and their kits. I’m sure Toney won’t be the last…oh and he wasn’t. Stop the advertising if you want this to stop happening
@afcbchung: breaches may not be as severe. plus toney’s ban was 5 months of active football
@Utd_4_eva: One lied about his betting and bet on his own team the other didn’t that’s the only difference so maybe the fa thought Toney was worse due to doing it against his own team
@Jarvalho111: Only one bet on himself and team mates, didn’t help enquiries or admit wrong doing. See if you can guess which?
@Trent_8ender: None of Toffolo’s charges involve games which he featured in. He may have more charges, but individually his charges are less severe than Toney’s
@cA11uM_7:
1. His bets probably aren’t against his own team
2. Toney’s ban included 3 months of no football so the active ban* is literally the same lmao
*active ban = banned when their team is playing competitive football
@j4yc3e: 5 month ban suspended, so not even a ban.
@CharleyBonner5: Wtf ?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 that’s crazy
@Bees1889K: So he’s got a suspended five month ban, less than Toney and will not take effect unless he bets again, for more offences than Ivan. There has also been almost no mention of this in the media. No eyes on him, no pressure on Toffolo and no leaks. If I were Ivan I’d be fuming
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