Ivan Toney Invited To England Squad Amidst Betting Scandal

The head coach of the England national team, Gareth Southgate, has invited Brentford forward, Ivan Toney to the team even though the player is facing betting charges.

Naija News has reported that Toney has been charged with 262 violations of the FA’s rules, which prohibit players from betting on any match, even when they are not involved.

If proven guilty by an FA tribunal, the 27-year-old forward is anticipated to get a protracted suspension.

Amidst the betting scandal, Ivan Toney who has been one of the most in-form English players in the Premier League will feature in England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.

The English Football Association and the country’s head coach deem him fit enough to represent the country thanks to his current form.

So far this season, Toney has scored a whopping 16 Premier League goals and provided four assists in 24 Premier League games for Brentford.

Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (28 goals), and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (20 goals) have scored more than Toney in the league this season.

Toney is yet to make his international debut after being unused by Gareth Southgate following his previous call-up in September.

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool and Raheem Sterling of Chelsea are the two biggest absentees in Gareth Southgate’s March squad.

Harry Maguire of Manchester United, Mason Mount of Chelsea, and Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City all maintain their positions despite not making much impact so far this season.

England will begin their quest to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany on March 23 with an away game against reigning champions Italy in Naples. Three days later, they will host Ukraine at Wembley Stadium.