Manager for England queries Ivan Toney's ban, saying, "That's not how the best rehabilitation programmes work."

• 25 May 2023
• Gambling News

Manager for England queries Ivan Toney's ban, saying, "That's not how the best rehabilitation programmes work."

Ivan Toney was fined for breaking betting rules, and his ban was questioned by England football manager Gareth Southgate. 

The England and Brentford striker previously served an eight-month suspension from football after he acknowledged breaking 232 FA betting rules. He can't play football again until January 2024. In addition, Toney was fined £50,000 ($62,000).

Toney was initially accused of 262 infractions; however, 30 of those charges were later dropped. 

Southgate acknowledges that Toney is aware of the reason for the penalty and says, "He recognises and accepts the punishment."

Southgate continued, though, by saying that it would not be ideal for Toney to be completely banned from football while he recovers. "We have to take care of people," Southgate stated. How can we provide structure for him over the next six months so that, at the end of it all, he becomes a better person?

"I don't like the idea that we just leave somebody, that he is not allowed to be a part of the football community."

Southgate continued, offering the clearest summary of his argument when he said, "I don't think that is how we should function. This is not, in my opinion, how the best recovery programmes operate.

The day that Southgate responded, there was a lot of news about responsible gambling. LadBible had announced a partnership with GambleAware and was starting a campaign to teach young audiences about responsible betting.

During the news conference, Southgate talked about Toney's future and hinted that the ban would not matter in the future once Toney had completed his sentence. Putting an end to his response, he said, "We're here to support him."