England striker Ivan Toney has described the Football Association as "spiteful" for its handling of his ban for breaking betting rules. (More Football News)
Toney was handed an eight-month suspension last month after adm𒁏itting to 232 counts of breaching English football's betting rules.
The FA announced Toney ✨had been charged with 262 breaches in November, effectively ruling him out of contention for the World Cup in Qatar, but had to wait until May before receiving his ban and a fine of 50,000 pound🍸s ($62,000).
"It came out just before the England🍒 camp," the Brentford striker said in an interview on Kick Game's YouTube channel that was released M♔onday.
"Obviously, I missed that and the World Cup. Honestly, that would hꦜave been my big🍃gest dream.
"It was like, get it out now so he doesn't go with England, and then all of a sudden they want to wait until the end of the season. It is꧋ what it is if they want to do it that way. I call it a bit spiteful, but it is what it is."
Toney said missing the World Cup was a “bigger punishment” than his actual b꧃an.
An independent commission said in its r𝕴eport that Tone🥃y's punishment could have been worse if not for the diagnosis of a gambling addiction.
Among the charges, 29 bets or instructions to bet related to clubs Toney was registered with or on loanജ with at th♉e time.
Toney did not 🅠play in any of the seven different games in which 13 bets were♍ placed on his own team to lose. There were 15 bets on him to score in matches in which he did play.
“None of it was match-fixing,” Toney said.
“None of what I did or was accused of doing, none of it was match-fixing. If it was I un𝓡derstand that, ban me for eight months or if not loಌnger.”
England coach Gareth Southgate has been critical of the wide-reaching nature of Toney's ban, which prohibits him from training unti♐l Sept. 17 and from playing again until Jan. 17.
Toney said he was g🌠rateful for Southgate's support and also for that shown by his club, and wants to come back as an even better player. He finished the season third in the Pre🅠mier League's scoring chart with 20 goals.
“It felt good — obviously, it's going ꧟to, the England manager backing you and standꦬing with you,” Toney said.
“I think he probably sees it as a bit 💦harsh as well, not letting me train or be around the team for however long. But I'veꦿ got the right people around me.
“Every season, I've got better, scoring more 💎goals, and I'm hungry now to get back. When January comes, you're going to see a different animal.”
