The Brentford striker is the subject of a match-fixing investigation over historical allegations relating to a period before joining the Premier League club, according to The Sun. In a statement, Toney said he was “assisting the Football Association with its inquiries” but would not comment further until the investigation “comes to a conclusion”. “I’m a proud Englishman and it’s always been my childhood dream to play for my country in a World Cup final,” he tweeted. There are no suggestions that Toney ever played against his team. He has not been charged with any offence, but the investigation is believed to have been ongoing for seven months, the Daily Mail reported. The FA declined to comment, while Brentford issued a brief statement to acknowledge they were aware of the allegations. “We note the story regarding Ivan Toney and the FA investigation,” it said. “The club will not comment.” Under FA rules, players operating at Premier League, English Football League and National League levels are prohibited from betting on football. The rules state that players are “prohibited from betting, directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition held anywhere in the world”. “This also includes a worldwide ban on betting on any other football-related matter,” the rules add. “For example, the transfer of players, the employment of coaches or the selection of a team. The transmission of inside information to someone who uses the information for betting remains prohibited.” Toney was part of England’s squad for September’s Nations League games against Italy and Germany but did not feature in either game as he awaits his senior international debut. He began his professional career with hometown club Northampton and, during a three-year spell at Newcastle, had loan spells with Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Scunthorpe and Wigan before making a permanent move to Peterborough in August 2018. Toney joined Brentford in a £5m switch two years later and scored 33 goals as they won promotion to the Premier League in his first season. He has been promoted to the England squad with his clinical form from the penalty spot a major asset as manager Gareth Southgate prepares for the World Cup in Qatar. Toney missed Brenford’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolves last weekend.
