FA make huge Ivan Toney ban decision amid Arsenal and Chelsea transfer links

 Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been banned from all football and football-related activity for eight months after breaching FA betting rules.

The 27-year-old was charged with over 250 breaches of gambling regulations in November for offences betweem 2017 and 2021. His ban will end on Wednesday, January 17 2024.

Toney has also been handed a £50,000 fine for his conduct after the England international admitted to 232 breaches with 30 withdrawn by the FA.

A statement from the FA added: "His sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission following a personal hearing. He is permitted to return to training only with his club for the final four months of his suspension starting from 17 September 2023.

"The independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these sanctions will be published in due course, and The FA will wait to review them before commenting further."

Toney has been linked with a summer move to both Chelsea and Arsenal but that has now been put into doubt after his ban was made official

The former Newcastle and Peterborough United forward has had a stellar season for the Bees, scoring 20 times and earning a first England cap. He was left out of Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup, though, with his betting charges coming in the lead-up to the tournament.

Toney has been labelled as a £100m player with some of England's top clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal as well as Manchester United, thought to be interested in the striker. 

Brentford have released a statement addressing the suspension, writing: "Brentford FC notes the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to issue an eight-month ban from all football and football-related activity to Ivan Toney with immediate effect.

"Ivan was charged with breaches of FA rule E8 and had a personal hearing earlier this week.