Ivan Toney says his 2022 World Cup omission from England squad felt like 'someone was out to get me'
Ivan Toney wasn't picked for England's 2022 World Cup squad last November and was then charged with breaching FA betting rules six days later; the Brentford striker was subsequently banned from all football-related activity for eight months in May this year
Monday 21 August 2023 17:00, UK
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Ivan Toney has revealed his 2022 Qatar World Cup omission felt like «someone was out to get me» after he was then charged with breaching betting rules.
Toney had hoped to be included in the 26-player England squad but was not picked by Gareth Southgate on November 10 before the charges came to light six days later.
The Brentford striker was subsequently banned from all football-related activity for eight months in May this year after admitting 232 breaches of the Football Association's betting rules.
The 27-year-old felt the timing of the allegations being made public was linked to him being left out.
«I guess it comes down to the allegations but personally I feel it was a bit of a questionable time when they decided to bring it all out and then when they actually dealt with the situation come the end of the season,» he told Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO podcast.
«The biggest punishment for me was missing out on playing at the World Cup. I felt more hurt and down around that time, like somebody's out to get me to stop me from playing for England. That was the lowest point.»
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It is understood Toney remained available for selection until the regulatory commission issued their decision and imposed a ban this year with his omission from the World Cup squad based on footballing reasons.
The timetable of the case
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