Ivan Toney has been banned from football for eight months after being found guilty of hundreds of breaches of the FA's betting rules.
What happened?
Ivan Toney faced an independent regulatory commission earlier this week and was subsequently banned from all football and football-related activity with immediate effect.
Why it matters for Ivan Toney
The ban, which runs up to and including 16 January 2024, will significantly impact Ivan Toney's football career, as he will not be able to play for the next eight months.
The Football Association statement confirmed that Ivan Toney was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021.
What comes next?
Ivan Toney does have the right to appeal the punishment, and Brentford will take further steps when the commission's full verdict is published.
Ivan Toney released his own statement stating his disappointment at the verdict and thanking his family, friends, Brentford, and the fans for their continued support.
He will be permitted to return to training only with his club for the final four months of his suspension starting from 17 September 2023.
The written reasons for the commission's decision have not yet been published, so Ivan Toney made no further comment at this point.
Ivan Toney now focuses on returning to play the game he loves next season.
Brentford have acknowledged the ban and will review the written reasons before considering their next steps.
A statement from Brentford read: “Brentford FC notes the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to issue an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity to Ivan Toney with immediate effect.”