Ivan Toney, the Brentford forward who was banned on May 17, 2023, for breaching betting rules, was seen in pictures training for the first time, as he prepares to return to competitive action.
Toney was handed an eight-month ban from football by the English FA for 232 betting breaches, and he last featured in a competitive match on May 6, 2023.
Ivan Toney took to Instagram to share a puzzling caption alongside pictures of himself engaging in training.
Due to the suspension, he can’t participate in training with Brentford, but despite the challenge, he is still putting necessary measures in place to stay fit pending the conclusion of his ban.
The Englishman’s ban will expire in January 2024, and he will be coming to Thomas Frank’s side to offer them more firepower in attack.
Toney scored 21 goals and provided 5 assists in 35 appearances for Brentford across all competitions last season.
Based on the stipulations of the ban, Ivan Toney can recommence training activities with the bees from September 17, 2023.
The 27-year-old joined Brentford from Peterborough United on September 1, 2020, for a fee of €5.6 million.
Before the ban, the Englishman was scintillating for the West London club, scoring goals with reckless abandon, and outstandingly impacting games.
Ivan Toney pictured in training
Ivan Toney shared the post where he was seen partaking in intense training with a cryptic caption that reads:
“I didn’t come this far to only come this far.”
Many have expressed that it might be an indication that he could be heading away from Brentford in the coming months.
Toney has been linked with a move to majority of the top 6 teams in England, including; Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Englishman also recently signed up with a new agent, which is a move that is pregnant with different meanings.
Brentford have reportedly pegged their asking price for any club looking to sign Ivan Toney in the January transfer window at about £80 million.
The 27-year-old has scored 68 goals and provided 21 assists in 124 appearances for the Bees.
Ivan Toney has also represented the Three Lions of England, scoring no goal and providing no assist in 1 appearance.
Meanwhile, Brentford currently sit 8th in the Premier League, with 6 points, having recorded 3 draws and 1 win.
They started the 2023/24 season with a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, before comprehensively defeating Fulham by 3-0 on Matchday 2.
Thomas Frank’s side have subsequently played back-to-back draws, playing out a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
Anyway, Brentford in May revealed that they will support Ivan Toney in dealing with his gambling addiction.
A statement from the Premier League club reads: “Ivan and Brentford FC accept that offenses were committed, and sanctions were inevitable.
“The commission noted that none of the charges related to events where Ivan could negatively impact his own team.
“The detail is included in the written reasons. The club will now be doing everything possible to provide support to Ivan and his family to deal with the issues raised in this case.”
The Bees will be hoping that he returns to action still in his elements, scoring and defining games through his brilliance.
