Ivan Toney calls on FA to conduct a ‘leak inquiry’ over investigation process into alleged betting breaches

Ivan Toney has questioned the confidentiality of the Football Association’s investigation process into his alleged betting breaches.

The Brentford striker revealed his disappointment on Instagram when he posted a lengthy message on his social media account.

Toney called on the FA to conduct a “leak inquiry” to see how information was being released to the media.

He also said it was disturbing to find out he was set to be banned from football for six months via a press report.

He wrote: “I was shocked and disappointed to see press speculation yesterday and today about the FA investigation process concerning me after I have been told by the FA that it is a confidential process until any decision has been made.

“It is especially disturbing for me to read that the FA is saying I shall be banned from football for six months before there has even been a hearing, and it does make me worried about the process.

“My lawyers will be writing to The FA to request that they conduct a leak inquiry as this is the second time stories have appeared in the newspapers — the last time was just before the selection of the England World Cup squad.

“As I continue to be told the investigation is meant to be confidential, I am unable to provide any further comment, and shall continue to concentrate on my football.”

The forward was originally charged in November for alleged breaches of rules on 232 occasions, which were said to have occurred between February 2017 and January 2021.

Toney was further charged by the FA with misconduct in relation to 30 additional alleged betting breaches between March 2017 and February 2019, bringing the total number of charges to 262.

During the period of the alleged breaches, Toney was initially contracted to Newcastle United but spent time out on loan at Scunthorpe United and Wigan Athletic. Peterborough United signed him in a permanent deal in August 2018 and two years later he joined Brentford for around £5million ($6.1m).

The 26-year-old was given until Wednesday, January 4 to provide a response but The Athletic has learned that he has admitted many of the charges, though is contesting others.

Toney confirmed in November that he was assisting the FA with its investigation.

The FA has yet to confirm the specific nature of the charges and what sanctions Toney could face.

The FA’s rule E8 stipulates that players and staff at clubs in England, from the Premier League and the FA Women’s Super League all the way down to the Northern, Southern and Isthmian leagues, are prohibited from betting on any football match taking place anywhere in the world. They are also banned from betting on other football-related matters including transfers and managers being hired or sacked.

Several players have previously been banned for breaching gambling rules.

In January 2021, Newcastle and England full-back Kieran Trippier was banned for 10 weeks and fined £70,000 for telling his friends to “lump” money on him moving from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid during the summer of 2019.

Daniel Sturridge received a four-month ban for instructing his brother Leon to bet on a potential move to Spanish side Sevilla in January 2018.

In 2017, Joey Barton was banned for 18 months by the FA for placing 1,260 bets on football matches, including at least five in which he played. Barton managed to get the ban reduced to 13 months following an appeal.

Brentford had said in November that “private discussions with Ivan and his legal representatives” were ongoing.

The Football Association declined to comment when contacted by The Athletic.