Ivan Toney hits out at the ‘spiteful’ handling of his betting ban which cost his World Cup dream, as he opens up on the punishment.
Toney, in his first interview with media since being informed of his suspension which will prevent him from training with his Brentford teammates until September, believes that missing out on representing England at the World Cup 2022 is worse than his long ban.
The 27-year old’s transgressions first came to light in November of last year, ahead of the tournament held in Qatar. However, the investigation was concluded in last month after he confessed to 232 betting violations.
Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney has spoken out on his eight-month ban from football.
In his first public interview since learning of his suspension Toney believes missing out on representing his country at the 2022 World Cup is worse than his lengthy ban.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 11, 2023
Speaking to Kick Game UK about the timing of his charges and ban, Toney said: “In a way it’s like get it out now so you don’t go England and then all of a sudden they want to wait until the end of the season to do the kind of things but listen it is what it is.
“If they want to do it that way, I call it a bit spiteful but it is what it is and you just have to get on with it.
“The biggest punishment, 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. I believe in myself and hopefully I will be at the next one.”
He also warned Premier League defenders he will be “a different animal” when he is allowed back on the pitch again in January next year.
Toney also recalled the aftermath of his social media post following the announcement of his ban, where he said he would “speak soon with no filter”.
I’ll speak soon with no filter.
— Ivan Toney (@ivantoney24) May 26, 2023
“As soon as I put that (tweet) obviously everyone went crazy and this and that,” he told Kick Game UK.
“But I actually got a message from my Mum and you know when your Mum says something you have to listen. She said to me just remember cream always rises, worry about yourself, do what you want to do and do what you think is best. She messaged while I have been away and said listen I’ve been sick, feeling ill blah blah.
“Everyone is going crazy, your name is all on the news. I was like Mum, don’t worry I know. I know what I am capable of and I know what I can do. If you say it’s going to ‘damage my reputation’ what I say then so be it.
“I just know deep down what I said is how I feel. If I have something to say I will say it.
“I have to concentrate on what I can do which is score goals and do well like every season and every year that has gone by. I have to prove people wrong like what I done when I first came into the Prem. They said I wouldn’t be able to score goals and I got into double figures. Next season, (I scored) 20 goals. So just keep getting better and better.
“For the people out there they are painting me with a certain picture which is fair enough, they can go off what they want to see but people that know me know who I am and what I am about.
“A majority of football teams now are sponsored by gambling companies so it’s kind of like weigh it up.
“If that’s the rules that you shouldn’t be betting then yeah you shouldn’t be betting but for people that need help there should be more around to stop them from leading to that direction or whatever. When the time is right I will speak out on the majority of things and clear up things that need to be cleared up.”
Toney wants to speak in greater length on a platform when the time is right but says he is not looking for sympathy.
He added: “The club (Brentford) have actually been very helpful and very supportive. Everybody at the club. Loads of footballers have messaged me too.
“The support is good but how I am I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me.
“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.”
Toney is planning to get in contact and work with personal trainers in various locations while serving his ban from training with his team-mates.
“I’ve got a few things lined up, a few trainers in different places,” explains Toney.
“I feel like there’s two things. There’s certain people that try to break people down and how it came out just before the England camp, obviously missed out on the World Cup — that would have been the biggest dream for me to do.”
SEE MORE: Simon Jordan clashes with Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony over Ivan Toney’s ban
Gareth Southgate spoke last month, saying that football has to look after Toney.
When asked how he felt when Southgate backed him, Toney replied: “It felt good. It is obviously going to feel good when the England manager is backing you and is standing with you.
“I feel like he sees it as harsh as well, not letting me train and or be around the team for so however long but know I have the right team behind me, the right people involved and keep going strong.
“Every season I have done better scoring much more goals and when I come back, I am hungry now to come back, when January comes like I said you will see a different animal.”
His last appearance was in the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool on the 6th of May and he is now unable to play for his club or country until the end of his suspension on the 16th of January 2024. He netted 21 times in 35 appearances for 2022/23.
Thomas Frank insists that Ivan Toney’s future is with Brentford and that the club will support him throughout his eight-month ban.
“We were, for various reasons, prepared for what would happen if someone in the front line would leave us,” explained Frank. “That’s why we were very keen on signing Schade in January.
“We actually think in-house that we have some good replacements in [Yoane] Wissa and Schade. We actually spoke about it after the West Ham game, that every time Wissa has to step up, he scores.
“Regarding what we do in the summer, we don’t know yet. It’s something we need to consider.”
“We will do everything we can to be there for him, support him and be aware of the mental health.
“He’s obviously done some mistakes but we want to help him. We just need to know what we’re allowed to do.
“We all make mistakes. Who are we to judge that?
“We need to be aware of the mental health. Ivan is a footballer, but he’s also a human being who has family and he’s been on the front pages quite a lot over the last year.”
Frank also revealed he has spoken to Toney following the sanction, saying: “We have been in contact with him. First and foremost he is disappointed and sad about the situation.
“But the uncertainty is probably the worst thing. At least we know what it looks like.”
But Frank refused to bemoan that fact, simply saying the club “must deal with it”, but did share his thoughts on what he sees as the troublesome relationship between football and gambling.
“In general there is a gambling issue we need to be aware of in society,” said Frank, whose side have a gambling company as their main shirt sponsor.
“It’s a challenge for me personally with all the advertising for gambling done by clubs and individuals in the game.
“I think that’s an issue for me.”
Here’s what fans have said as Ivan Toney hits out at the ‘spiteful’ handling of his betting ban which cost his World Cup dream…
@Oneman1ball:
Ivan toney broke betting rules over 200 times was it
now playing the victim
give me a break
@Blue_Footy: You know the consequence of gambling. Can’t dictate how people handle your punishment for breaking rules. Stay away from trouble and nobody will bother you.
@Byronb_86: So this guy who broke the rules over 200 times thinks he should have gone to the World Cup. What so you can bet on us lose and score a own goal fuck off mate
@LarryKingSAFC: Maybe just don’t bet on your own team to lose over and over? Entitled loser.
@ropeystringer: Another Cheater in football playing the victim jeez 🤡
@addsrichmond: “It is what it is” is the comment of someone who can’t own his own failings. It is what it is because you broke the rules mate.
@richbham123: Then don’t do illegal betting 🤷🏻♂️
@JoshuaHirst13: Actually a pretty decent interview he did, and you can’t really disagree with anything he said. He knows he’s done wrong, but he also knows that he’s got a chance to speak up and try and go after the gambling industry now and I hope he does.
@GregScott44: Can’t stand most footy players. This is a clear reason why. All those bets he’s aware he cannot make but not his fault….. what a tit
@Dannylowe85: So he’s the victim for breaking the rules. Ball bag
@JordanTompkinss: Why’s he playing the victim 😂
@biydy9: Guy betted on his own team to lose lol
@jackcolegolf: Nothing like taking accountability. Give him another year
I love Ivan Toney 🤣🤣🤣 #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/RO2yJitdVA
— 🏴🐝 (@bfckxvvv) June 11, 2023
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