Brentford pledges to support Ivan Toney with gambling addiction diagnosis

Brentford has vowed to stand by Ivan Toney and help him with his gambling addiction.

The striker admitted he breached FA betting rules and was handed an eight-month ban from all footballing activity.

However, that suspension was reduced after a psychiatric expert testified before the FA Regulatory Committee diagnosing Toney with a gambling addiction.

As the Brentford star had also admitted to the charges, the sentence was reduced from three months to an original 11 months.

And the bees released a statement insisting they will support Toney with his addiction issues.

The Premier League club have admitted to having “received and accepted written reasons from an independent regulatory commission”.

A statement from Brentford read: “The club will now do everything possible to provide support to Ivan and his family in dealing with the issues raised in this matter.

“Conversations about this and all matters relating to the case will remain confidential in order to protect the player and his family.

“We consider this matter closed and look forward to welcoming Ivan back into training in September and seeing him represent Brentford in the Premier League in January.”

Toney will be allowed to return to training after a four-month ban but will not be allowed to play until January.

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It emerged the England international bet against his side to lose after the FA published their findings on the case.

The 27-year-old placed 13 bets on his own team to lose in seven different games between August 2017 and March 2018.

They said: “Of these 29 bets, there were 13 bets on Mr Toney’s own team to lose in 7 different matches between 22nd August 2017 and 3rd March 2018.

“Mr Toney has not played in any of those matches where he placed bets against his loan club as he was not in the match squad or against his parent club as he was on loan.

“Of the 13 bets, 11 were against Newcastle while Mr Toney was on loan at another club.

“The other 2 bets were for a game between Wigan v Aston Villa when the player was on loan at Wigan but not in the squad.”

The FA has strict rules for players to bet on games or share information that may lead to other people betting.

Along with a ban on football activities, Toney was fined £50,000.