Brentford striker, Ivan Toney has claimed that an eight-month ban he received for breaching betting rules is nothing compared to him missing the 2022 world cup for the Three Lions of England.
In May, the Brentford striker received an eight-month suspension after conceding to 232 betting-related violations.
He was charged in November and was left off of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man World Cup roster.
“Support is good, but how I am, I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me,” he told the Kick Game YouTube channel as reported by the BBC.
“Even though I miss eight months of football. That was the biggest punishment, to miss out on a World Cup – everyone’s dream – it is bigger than missing eight months of football.”
After receiving his first call-up to Southgate’s squad in September of last year. Toney earned his first England cap as a late substitute in the 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Ukraine in March.
The 27-year-old, who received a reduced suspension due to an established gambling addiction, won’t be permitted to play until January 17, 2024.
Four months before the ban expires, on September 17, he can resume training with Brentford.
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“I done what I done before. The punishment is the punishment and get on with it,” Toney said.
“I just have to focus on when I come back training. I want to be a different animal when I come back. It’s going to be frightening.”
With 20 goals, Toney finished third in the Premier League last season. And guided Brentford to a ninth-place finish.
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