How gambling addiction diagnosis led to reduced ban for Ivan Toney

Brentford striker, Ivan Toney, was granted a reduced ban from football as a result of being diagnosed with a gambling addiction.

Toney had previously accepted breaking the Football Association’s betting regulations, resulting in an initial eight-month suspension.

During the proceedings, a psychiatry expert provided evidence to the FA’s regulatory commission, diagnosing Toney with a gambling addiction and emphasizing the need for professional assistance.

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Consequently, the commission decided to reduce his original 11-month sanction by three months.

In the written explanation outlining their decision, published on Friday, the commission highlighted that Toney had admitted to repeatedly lying during his initial interviews with the FA.

However, they noted that he had since stopped gambling on football (though not on other sports) and expressed a strong determination to address his gambling problem through therapy.