Ivan Toney claims he had no idea betting was illegal and discloses his potential next club

The Brentford striker said it felt like someone was out to get him during his betting scandal

Footballer Ivan Toney has spoken out for the first time since earning an eight-month sentence for violating the FA’s betting rules 232 times. On Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast, the Brentford striker revealed that he thought someone was out to get him and that he accepted some of the FA violations just to get the investigation over with.

In describing what it was like to be denied a World Cup spot, he said being called up “didn’t feel real.” “Having the opportunity to play for England was something I would never have imagined,” he remarked.

“I guess it comes down to allegations on the betting scandal,” Toney remarked when asked why he was kicked from the team. But I felt like it was a bit of a problematic time when they decided to bring it all out, and then when they finally dealt with the matter towards the end of the season, it was kind of like ‘why’d you bring it out…then?'”

Toney then claimed that the FA spread the tale at the time to keep him from playing for England and to “make it a bigger story.” “I feel like it was a bit of a coincidence when they decided to bring it all out and then having to deal with the punishment so far after,” he continued.

“Yes, I’m now banned, but the biggest punishment for me was missing out on playing in the World Cup.” I just felt unhappy around the time; it felt like someone was trying to stop me from playing for England in my brain.”

Toney was grilled for five hours by the FA and was later requested to hand over his phone for the FA to search.

Later in the conversation, Bartlett claims that one of Toney’s former chairmen at Northampton Town was fired due to “a betting scandal,” and that Toney’s relative was sanctioned for a betting rule violation in 2007. The FA commission determined that the striker was aware of the regulations yet nonetheless bet.

Ivan Toney claims he had no idea betting was illegal and discloses his potential next club

“So, you didn’t know you could bet as a player?” Bartlett asked Toney, who has now been diagnosed with a gambling addiction. Toney responded, “No, I think it was a grey area.” Toney is set to return to football in January 2024 and has already stated his preference for his next team.

“I’ve been a Liverpool fan my entire life, but from a young age, I liked Arsenal, I like watching Arsenal because of how they play and how passionate their fans are, but yeah, Liverpool boy at heart,” the forward stated.