England striker Ivan Toneyhas emphasized his crucial role in Jude Bellingham’s last-minute equalizer against Slovakia at Euro 2024.
Bellingham’s acrobatic effort saved England from elimination, pushing the round of 16 match into extra time, where Harry Kane scored the winning goal to secure a quarter-final spot for the Three Lions.
While the headlines focused on the Real Madrid and Bayern Munich stars, Toney insists his contribution as a late substitute just before the equalizer was vital.
“I feel we do a lot at club football,” Toney said. “If you can’t get the ball you [do something else]. I pulled the defender away. Take nothing away from Jude… a run is not a wasted run even if you don’t get the ball.”
Toney’s stoppage time introduction was his first appearance at Euro 2024, having been left on the bench for their three group stage matches.
However, the Brentford star is not happy with being labelled a substitute, preferring to call himself a finisher.
“Yes, I was annoyed but there was still 30 minutes of football to play [including extra-time] and you have got to come out of that mood and focus,” he told reporters.
“I feel like people call them substitutes, others finishers. I think you have to be ready and there’s more than 11 players needed to win a tournament.”
Toney hopes that England managerGareth Southgatewill once again call on him as a substitute in the quarter-final match against Switzerland on Saturday, as the team aims to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has reacted to remarks made by Thomas Frank, with the Bees’ head coach effectively indicating that Toney is expected to be sold in the upcoming months.
Ivan Toney emphasised that he cannot compel clubs to pursue him, following Brentford manager Thomas Frank’s acknowledgment that Toney is likely to depart this summer.
The 27-year-old striker, who missed a significant portion of the 2023–24 season due to a ban for breaching betting regulations, was still heavily linked with a transfer during the January window, with Arsenal showing interest.
Toney, who has scored three goals in four matches since his return, will have only 12 months left on his contract by summer’s end. Frank confirmed earlier this week that Toney will likely be sold at the conclusion of the season.
In an interview with Danish magazine Tipsbladet, it was claimed that Frank had conceded: “It’s quite obvious that Ivan Toney will most likely be sold in the summer. It can be expensive to sell your best player but on the other hand, I also know that by the summer, he’ll only have a year left on his contract with us.
“Of course, the Bees boss wants to keep his talisman. But Toney was asked for his reaction to Frank’s comments after scoring in Brentford’s 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday and quipped, “I see that [Frank’s comments] as he doesn’t want me!
“The manager has said what he’s said but I can’t make clubs come and get me. I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and that’s scoring goals. What will be will be.”
Although Arsenal are long-term admirers of Toney, the Gunners were unable to add him to their squad in the winter transfer window as a result of their Financial Fair Play commitments.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has revealed to Danish outlet Tipsbladet that the departure of striker Ivan Toney from the club is highly likely this summer.
Toney, aged 27, has attracted interest from several top Premier League clubs, such as Arsenal and Chelsea, and is approaching the final year of his contract.
While Brentford will seek a significant transfer fee for the English forward, it’s uncertain if they will secure the £100 million valuation that Frank believes Toney warrants.
“It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer,” Frank said. “We also know what he is worth.
“I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.
“He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team.
This eagerly awaited return follows an eight-month suspension for the striker.
Manager Thomas Frank, whose team has found itself embroiled in the relegation battle during Toney’s absence, expressed the significant positive impact of having him back.
Frank highlighted the value of Toney’s goal-scoring prowess and leadership on the field. “He’s bossing. He’s like an eight-year-old boy; he just wants to go out and play,” Frank told a news conference on Friday. “Just that pure joy of playing football.
“I’m looking into the eyes of a player who is very committed and very excited. He will start tomorrow, he will lead the team out, he’ll be the captain. I’m sure he’ll be ready.”
Having scored 20 goals in 30 league appearances last season, Toney faced a suspension due to betting offences. His return, eagerly awaited by Brentford teammates who affectionately call him ‘Big Dog,’ is timely.
Thomas Frank has confirmed that Ivan Toney will start and captain Brentford in his return to football this weekend 🔙 pic.twitter.com/AowfRY6DkO
Brentford currently sits in 16th place, just three points clear of the relegation zone and trailing 15th-placed Forest by a single point.
“Not only this week, but the last three-and-a-half years, he has been a special character in many ways; he’s a fantastic person to be around myself, the staff, the players, the energy he brings, the smile, and the positivity at the training ground,” Frank said.
“On the pitch, he wants to win; he wants to help the team; of course, it’s a massive boost. It’s like a new signing. He’s the second-best striker, in my opinion, in the Premier League.”
One worry for Frank is that with the January transfer window still open, Toney could be lured away by a big-money offer from a Premier League rival, although none have arrived so far.
“As I said earlier in these conferences, it’s 99% something that he will stay here but football is crazy; you never know what will happen tomorrow,” Frank said. “He’s committed to helping the team; that’s all that’s on his mind. He wants to stay here; he wants to help the team.”
Brentford striker Ivan Toney celebrated the end of his eight-month football ban with a humorous Dave Chappelle meme on social media.
The ban, imposed for violating the FA’s betting rules in 2023, concluded on January 17, making Toney eligible to play again.
The striker, targeted by Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, including a recent impressive performance with Brentford B, where he scored a hat-trick, contributing to the club’s resolve to retain him.
Despite interest, Brentford has set a hefty £80 million ($101 million) price tag for Toney.
Toney has also indicated that he has no plans to leave the Bees in January, as he believes that he has “a lot to repay” the club and simply “can’t wait to try and do that.”
Toney might take the pitch when Brentford take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on January 20. The 27-year-old is likely to continue at Gtech Community Stadium, and could faceChelsea and Arsenal in two successive Premier League matchdays on March 2 and 9 respectively.
Brentford is reportedly seeking a transfer fee of £100 million for their striker Ivan Toney, who has garnered interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, as per Sky Sports.
The Bees are planning to retain Toney at least until the end of the season, given his return following an eight-month ban for betting offenses on January 16.
Although Toney’s comeback is a positive development for Brentford manager Thomas Frank, it has also attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs looking to acquire his services.
However, any potential transfer would require a significant offer, as offers in the range of £60 million are said to have been dismissed at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Toney came third in the Premier League goal-scoring charts last season, with 20 goals. Leading Frank to say in the summer: “£100m plus?… What would you pay for a striker who guarantees you 20-plus goals? And this is 20 goals for a mid-table club. What can he do in a bigger club?”
According to reports, the FA Regulation E1(b) violations occurred between January 2014 and March 2017.
Toffolo was under contract to his old team Norwich City throughout that time, but he played on loan at Swindon, Rotherham, and Scunthorpe.
The charges against Toffolo have until July 19 for a response.
The left-back made 19 Premier League appearances for Forest last season after joining the club from Huddersfield Town in the summer.
In May, Brentford’s Ivan Toney was suspended for eight months after admitting to 232 breaches of FA Rule E8. The offences took place between 2017 and 2021.
In December 2020,England defender Kieran Trippier received a ten-week ban after being found guilty of breaching betting regulations.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has expressed his frustration with the Football Association (FA) for what he considers a “spiteful” act of leaking his betting charges.
Toney has recently spoken openly about the situation, marking the first time he has addressed the issue since receiving an eight-month ban. He admitted to 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules.
In the previous month, Toney was handed a £50,000 fine and suspended from all football-related activities until January 17 due to his betting offenses spanning over four years.
The allegations against the 27-year-old initially surfaced in late 2022 and had significant consequences, as it cost him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Toney’s discontent stems from the manner in which his charges were made public, deeming it a malicious act by the FA. His focus now lies on serving his ban and moving forward from this challenging period in his career.
Toney opened up in the Kick Game YouTube channel, where he claimed missing out on the World Cup was more painful than the 8-month ban that was imposed on him.
He also faulted the FA for the manner in which his betting offences were publicized, describing it as ‘spiteful’.
‘People try to break people down,’ He said as per BBC.
‘It came out, just before the England camp, obviously missing out on the World Cup… In a way, it was kind of like: ‘get out now so you don’t go [away with] England’.
‘And then all of a sudden they want to wait until the end of the season… but it is what it is. They wanted to do it that way. I call it a bit spiteful. You just have to get on with it.
According to Toney, missing out on the World Cup was a ‘bigger punishment’, but he hopes to make the next one, when he will be 31.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham had previously stated there was no relationship between the timing of the betting charges and Toney’s omission from the England squad, which he claimed was for sporting reasons.
Toney’s plan B to keep fit
It was also reported on Ivan Toney’s next course of action to stay fit after he was banned from footballing activity.
The 27-year-old could join a rugby team for pre-season ahead of his return to training on September 17, as their core fitness training regime is fundamentally similar to football.
Brentford boss, Thomas Frank and England national team head coach, Gareth Southgate both frowned at the ban on training, claiming it is not the best rehabilitation process to leave him out of the football community.
Ivan Toney, a striker for Brentford, has been given an eight-month suspension after acknowledging breaking the betting laws.
Toney was accused with 262 alleged violations over a four-year period by the Football Association in November.
The 27-year-old, who finally made his long-awaited England debut in March, pleaded guilty to 232 of the offences; 30 of those were later dropped.
Following a personal hearing an independent regulatory commission imposed Toney’s sanctions, which included a £50,000 fine.
He will not be able to play until January 17, 2024, but can train with Brentford from September 17.
“Ivan Toney has been suspended from all football and football-related activity with immediate effect for eight months, which runs up to and including 16 January 2024, fined £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct for breaches of the FA’s betting rules,” an FA statement read.
“The Brentford FC forward was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021.The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches and he admitted to the remaining 232.
“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 written reasons behind the decision of the independent regulatory commission are to be published “in due course” and will be reviewed by both the FA and Brentford.
The Bees chose to make no further comment and will be “considering our next steps”, which could include an appeal against the suspension.
Toney scored 20 Premier League goals for the Bees this season, but will now sit out the remaining two matches – at Tottenham and then home to leaders Manchester City – as Thomas Frank’s side look to consolidate a top-10 finish.
Theloss of Toney, though, is likely to be more keenly felt at the start of the next campaign.
Speaking last December following the announcement of the FA’s charges, Frank had been questioned on what the club might do should Toney end up facing a lengthy suspension.
“We don’t have anything specific lined up if something should happen,” Frank said.
“We are always in the market, we always try to improve the squad so, of course, we are aware of players out there and we have a plan we are following, but no specific one for potentially replacing Ivan.”
In a legal first, a supporter who sent racist remarks to England striker Ivan Toney was prohibited from entering any football stadium in the nation.
In a message sent in October of last year, Antonio Neill, 24, referred to Mr. Toney, 26, as a “black c***” after the striker had assisted Brentford in defeating Brighton.
The abuse was investigated by the police as a hate crime and linked to a suspect who was at the time residing in the North Shields region.
When Neill, a resident of Blyth, Northumberland, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court in January, he entered a plea of guilty to transmitting an insulting message.
He was given a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and a three-year football banning order yesterday.
The banning order is the first of its kind to be issued under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
This legislation widened the scope for banning orders to be issued for online hate crimes that are linked to football.
Ivan Toney helped Brentford FC win 2-0 against Brighton on October 14.Antonio Neill, 24, pleaded guilty to sending an offensive message in January.
When Neill, of Robert Street, admitted the charge in January he apologised in court to the player and said: ‘I’m disgusted and ashamed and want to become a better person.’
Northumbria Police’s hate crime lead superintendent Scott Cowie said: ‘Discrimination has absolutely no place in any society, whether out in our communities or online.
‘I am therefore delighted that the seriousness of Neill’s offence has been reflected with this banning order, the first of its kind to be issued in the UK.
‘I hope this reinforces our commitment to taking action against anybody who commits a hate crime – it will not be tolerated, and we will do all we can to put perpetrators before the courts.’
Commissioner Kim McGuinness added: ‘If you are going to choose to be vile and abusive to others, doing it from behind a computer screen or on your phone doesn’t mean you’ll get away with it, far from it.
Brentford FC said it wants to see ‘tough action taken against anyone found guilty of such abuse’.
‘As this case shows, Northumbria Police can track you down, and I hope this banning order demonstrates how seriously officers take hate matters and that it paves the way for other offenders to face similar punishment in future.’
After the case, Brentford FC said: ‘Court appearances set a strong precedent for anyone else who commits hate crimes, and it is our hope that sentences increase in severity until this sort of crime is eradicated.
‘Ivan Toney has been subject to sickening racist abuse on a regular basis, and we want to see tough action taken against anyone found guilty of such abuse.’
Mr Toney faced racist abuse again in February, after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Brentford said in a statement: ‘We call on football fans everywhere to relish the competition and rivalry that exists between us, but to respect and embrace our differences and celebrate the diversity that exists throughout the Premier League.
As Thomas Frank’s team defeated fellow unlikely European contenders Fulham 3-2 in the Premier League, the 26-year-old again stroked the ball into the bottom-right corner from 12 yards.
For Brentford, Toney has taken 22 penalties, 10 of which have been in the Premier League. He has successfully converted all 22 of them.
Only Yaya Toure, who scored on all 11 penalty attempts for Manchester City, has a better 100 percent conversion rate in the competition, but Toney explained that his penalty procedure is all about relaxation.
After being made to wait before putting Brentford 2-1 up in the 53rd minute at the Brentford Community Stadium, he told Sky Sports: “The wait doesn’t matter, the longer the better really because I can get away and think of other things like being away on holiday and chilling.
“The goalkeeper didn’t move but I have always got a spot where I put the ball.”
Toney has scored 27 of his 28 penalties in his professional career, with the only blemish a saved attempt for Peterborough United in a 4-0 defeat against Barnsley back in October 2018.
That miss was the catalyst for a technique alteration.
When asked when he changed his approach, he replied: “When I missed… I thought of different techniques to make sure I had a better chance of scoring and it’s working out alright at the moment, so touch wood, it continues.”
10/10 – Only Yaya Touré (11/11) has a better 100% record from the penalty spot in Premier League history than Ivan Toney (10/10). Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/eqMaSw7Rzi
Another strike against Fulham took Toney’s Premier League tally to 15 this season despite off-field issues.
He has been charged with 262 alleged betting violations by the Football Association, which took place over a four-year period, but hit out at English football’s governing body last weeks after reported media leaks.
Reports suggested Toney, who missed out onEngland’s World Cup squad in Qatar, would be banned for six months after pleading guilty to some charges – claims the forward strongly denied on social media.
Brentford head coach Frank previously defended his star attacker and reiterated his backing for Toney after the Fulham win.
“I take all the praise, it is solely me,” Frank initially joked to Sky Sports. “No it is Ivan, that is the technique he had when he arrived at Brentford.
“He is the best penalty taker in the world for a few reasons, his strategy, he practices it and he is very cool. He keeps doing it all the same.
“It is a unique skill with him. This situation with the [betting] case going on, he has a unique ability to focus on games and training and he has kept doing that so that doesn’t surprise me.
“He doesn’t like the situation but he has top focus. He is a special footballer, I think his character is unique in terms of leadership and driving his team.
“His link-up play and the way he sees his team-mates around in terms of combinations and then his ability to score goals. He is an all-round football player.”
Ivan Toney has criticized “disturbing” rumors about the FA’s planned suspension for his alleged betting rule violations.
The English Football Association’s regulatory body has accused the Brentford striker of 262 alleged offences that occurred over a four-year span.
There hasn’t been an official FA update on the situation, but according to initial reports published by The Daily Mail on Tuesday, Toney has admitted guilt to the majority of the allegations and might receive a six-month suspension.
Although Toney was perplexed by rumors of leaks within the FA, the reports stated the 26-year-old has also rejected some of the breaches.
He posted on Instagram on Wednesday: “I was shocked and disappointed to see press speculation yesterday and today about the FA investigation process concerning me after I have been told by the FA that it is a confidential process until any decision has been made.
“It is especially disturbing for me to read that the FA is saying I shall be banned from football for six months before there has even been a hearing and it does make me worried about the process.”
Toney earned a first England call-up in September but was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham stated that the forward’s omission from the squad in Qatar was decided on “footballing grounds”.
Toney plans to challenge the FA after a second instance of reported leaks.
He added: “My lawyers will be writing to the FA to request that they conduct a leak inquiry, as this is the second time stories have appeared in the newspapers – the last time was just before the selection for the England World Cup squad.
“As I continue to be told the investigation is meant to be confidential, I am unable to provide any further comment and shall continue to concentrate on my football.”
Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney has been charged by the Football Association with more than 200 alleged breaches of betting rules.
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Ivan Toney has enjoyed a meteoric rise from League Two striker to England call-up — and a spot on the plane to Qatar is next in his sights.
The 26-year-old is enjoying a stellar season so far, catching Gareth Southgate’s attention after firing Brentford into the top half of the table.
And Toney’s excellent showings have been rewarded with a call-up to the Three Lions squad for their Nations League games against Italy and Germany.
Ahead of England’s clash with the Azzurri tonight, we take a look at the attacking star’s prospects of booking his place at the World Cup.
Meteoric rise
Toney started out in League Two with Northampton before being signed by Newcastle and loaned to a number of League One sides — though the Magpies eventually sold him to Peterborough after he failed to make an impact at St James’ Park.
The forward was playing in the third tier as recently as 2020 but has never been fazed by a new challenge.
He scored 31 times in his first — and only — Championship campaign as Brentford won promotion via the play-offs, where he added another two strikes to his tally.
Last season was Toney’s first full Premier League campaign and he took the division by storm, notching 12 goals as the Bees comfortably avoided relegation.
The West Londoners’ No17 looks on course to better that total this term and will be hoping to make his mark on the international stage at the first time of asking.
Toney has been a man on a mission this season, scoring five Premier League goals in just seven games — only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Aleksandar Mitrovic have more.
The Northampton native’s incisive movement has seen him get on the end of seven big chances so far, scoring three.
While the fact he has missed four significant opportunities may seem like cause for concern, the rate at which he finds himself in those dangerous positions is a positive sign.
Additionally, his five strikes have come from an expected goals tally of just 2.78, allaying any fears over how clinical he is in the final third.
Spot on from 12 yards
Not that anyone who watched Toney’s sensational hat-trick against Leeds would have any cause to doubt his finishing ability.
His treble certainly did not lack variety, scoring a penalty, a direct free-kick and an audacious dink.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank hailed the centre forward as the world’s best penalty taker — and the league’s most in-form striker after Kane.
He said: “It’s a nightmare to play against [Toney].
“Also, I have said many times he is the best penalty taker in the world and hopefully I won’t get bored saying it.
“The free-kick? Wow! I said to him, if you want to take them, you have to practice. It was a classic Ivan goal, fantastic technique.
“Then [the] last one is just ridiculous, to dink it over the keeper and pull that finish out of the hat.
“Off the top of my head, looking at strikers on form, Harry Kane is number one but there is not a better striker [than Toney] after Kane on form.
“I don’t see a better one. Plus, England have been in a few penalty shootouts and if they want to win one, they need to pick Ivan.”
