Brentford’s prolific striker Ivan Toney has expressed that missing out on the World Cup was a greater disappointment for him than the eight-month ban he is currently serving for violating betting regulations.
Toney, who admitted to 232 breaches of Football Association rules, was charged in November and consequently did not secure a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham stated that Toney’s exclusion from Southgate’s roster was solely based on “footballing grounds.” Despite being the Premier League’s third-highest scorer last season, with 20 goals aiding Brentford to a commendable ninth-place finish, Toney was left out of the prestigious tournament in Qatar, where England reached the quarter-finals.
The 27-year-old expressed his anguish at missing out on the opportunity to participate in the World Cup, referring to it as “everybody’s dream.” Although he acknowledges the severity of an eight-month football ban, Toney believes that the World Cup absence was a more significant blow. He conveyed his optimism, saying, “I believe in myself and hopefully I’ll be at the next one.”
Toney received his first call-up to the England squad in September, subsequently earning his first cap as a substitute during the 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Ukraine in March.
Notably, he received a reduced ban due to a diagnosed gambling addiction. While Toney can resume training with Brentford in mid-September, he will be unable to participate in matches until January.
Brentford has pledged their support to Toney during his ban, vowing to assist him in any way possible. England manager Gareth Southgate emphasized the importance of standing by the player during his time away from the game.
Toney, while acknowledging that he doesn’t seek sympathy, is determined to focus on his return to training, stating, “I’m going to be a different animal when I come back. Playing in the league, it’s going to be frightening.”