Football’s relationship with gambling under spotlight

Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates and hides the ball after scoring.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

English footballer Ivan Toney has admitted to placing bets on his team including 13 occasions when he backed his side to lose.

The Brentford striker has begun an eight-month ban after pleading guilty to 232 breaches of the Football Association’s rules.

His ban is a “massive reminder” that the relationship between football and the gambling industry needs to be reviewed, football boss Thomas Frank says.

On Friday, it was revealed that Toney was given a reduced ban because of a diagnosed gambling addiction.

“Football and gambling’s relationship needs a review,” said Frank.

“We got a massive reminder. The authorities have a massive task to make sure we do this much better.”

Toney is prohibited from training until 17 September and cannot play football again until 17 January, 2024.

“Yes, Ivan did something wrong but what I don’t get is how can you not let him be involved in football at all for the first four months?” said Frank.

“What do you gain from that? If you want to rehabilitate people you give them education, you do something, and now he is left on his own.

“There’s no doubt for me that the first four months he could be involved in football, he should be forced to go into 100 schools to tell them about his football and background, that’s how it should work, but I’m a football coach, what do I know?”

In March, Brentford were reported to be considering cutting ties with Hollywood Bets who have been their main kit sponsor since July 2021.

A month later, Premier League clubs collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of their matchday shirts by the end of the 2025-26 season.

However, after the deadline, clubs will still be able to continue featuring gambling brands in areas such as shirt sleeves and LED advertising.

Eight top-flight clubs – Bournemouth, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton and West Ham – have gambling companies on the front of their shirts, worth an estimated £60m per year.

–BBC