Ivan Toney diagnosed with gambling addition: 13 instances of betting against his own team

A full report on Ivan Toney‘s gambling addiction has emerged in the fallout of the Brentford striker receiving a ban until January 2024. He has also been diagnosed with a gambling addiction in the hearing. 

The forward bet on his team to lose 13 times in seven games between August 2017 and March 2018. “Of the 13 bets, 11 were against Newcastle whilst Mr Toney was on loan at another club. The other 2 bets related to a game between Wigan v Aston Villa whilst the player was on loan at Wigan but he was not part of the squad,” the report released said. 

The extent of Ivan Toney’s gambling addiction revealed 

“A further 15 of the 126 bets or instructions to bet were placed by Mr Toney to score in 9 different matches all of which he played in,” said the report.

“All of those 15 bets or instructions to bet were initiated by Mr Toney at a time when it would not have been public knowledge that he was starting or playing in the fixture.”

The player provided inside information to a friend about the inside happenings of the club to help with betting. Ivan Toney also admitted to lying to the FA about his betting. He pleaded guilty to the charges, with 30 of the 262 charges withdrawn by the FA. 

Psychiatrist Dr Philip Hopley was present at the hearing, and gave the following statement: 

“The commission finds that a significant reduction should be made to reflect the diagnosed gambling addiction identified by Dr Hopley,” the report explained. “The lack of control the player has in respect of gambling is clearly a reflection of his diagnosed gambling addiction.

“The present case is not one of match-fixing. If it was, the charges would have been pursued under different provisions.

“There is no evidence that Mr Toney did or was even in a position to influence his own team to lose when he placed bets against them winning – he was not in the squad or eligible to play at the time.”

Brentford will be without Ivan Toney for half of the coming season, a huge blow to their attack. However, he will be allowed to return to training in September.