Ivan Toney's football ban explained as Brentford striker prepares to make first England start against Belgium

Ivan Toney is expected to make his first start for England in tonight's Euro 2024 warm-up friendly with Belgium. The Brentford striker is back on the international scene for the first time since his debut in March 2023, and is determined to make an impression after serving a long ban due to gambling violations. The 28-year-old looked to be on an unstoppable trajectory last season and was amongst the top scorers in the Premier League with 20 goals before being slapped with a severe punishment that kept him out of action for both club and country.

Now, with Harry Kane an injury doubt, Toney has a golden chance to prove his worth and climb the pecking order, as England aim to bounce back from their defeat to Brazil on Saturday, in a game against Belgium as part of their Euro 2024 preparations. Ahead of tonight's game, we have rounded up all you need to know about the Toney saga.

Why was Ivan Toney banned?

Toney was suspended on May 17 due to breaches of FA gambling regulations, ruling him out of eight months of action. He was eligible for return on January 16, 2024 and scored a free kick on his first game back against Nottingham Forest four days later.

The FA statement read: "The Brentford FC forward was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021. The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches and he admitted to the remaining 232.  

"His sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission following a personal hearing. He is permitted to return to training only with his club for the final four months of his suspension starting from 17 September 2023."

Toney's response

Toney said in his initial response: "Today I have received notification of my 8-month ban from football following a hearing before an FA Regulatory Commission that took place yesterday.

“I am naturally disappointed that I will be unable to play for the next 8 months. The written reasons for the Commission’s decision have not yet been published, so I make no further comment at this point other than to thank my family and friends, Brentford Football Club and our fans for their continued support, through what has been a very difficult time.”

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of returning, he reflected on the ban by saying: "It was tough, when you got it down to yourself to train, you think I can miss today or go tomorrow. Then tomorrow, I'll go the next day. But then before you know it, you're getting heavy and putting on weight. You're not doing the right things and getting bad habits.

"The first week or two, I just thought: forget it, I will just chill and then when I'm back I'll be ready to go. But the people around me made sure it wasn't the case. I think I'm in better shape than when I left. I'm down in weight, more shredded, and hitting the gym every day."

What did Gareth Southgate say?

The England boss was always supportive of Toney, even after the ban. "I have spoken with him," Southgate said. "I don't know if that's allowed, by the way. If it isn't then they can ban me and not add to his.

"Look, the ban is the ban. It is what it is. I think he recognised any accepted the punishment. What bothers me is we've got to look after people. He's injured at the moment, what does he do about getting fit? How do we give him some structure over the next few months that he can develop himself or be a better person at the end of it or have experiences that he might not experience? I don't like the idea that we just leave somebody so they are not allowed to be a part of the football community.

"I don't think that's how we should work, I don't think that's how the best rehabilitation programmes would work. But he knows that we picked him because we felt until there was a charge, he should be allowed to play. When he comes back, if he plays well then we'll pick him. It won't have any bearing but I think he'll have additional motivation through what he is experiencing. I think he is a resilient guy with great character and we are here to support."