Brentford’s Ivan Toney said that missing out on last year’s World Cup was a bigger punishment than the eight-month ban he received for breaking FA betting rules.
The 27-year-old was found guilty in March for breaching 232 betting rules.
He was charged in November and as a consequence missed out on Gareth Southgate’s 26-man World Cup squad.
“Even though I miss eight months of football, that was the biggest punishment, to miss out on a World Cup – everyone’s dream – it is bigger than missing eight months of football.” Toney said.
Toney will be permitted to get back to training with Brentford on September 17, four months before the ban ends. The 27-year-old was superb last season, scoring 20 goals and helping his team to a 9th place in the standings.
“I done what I done before, the punishment is the punishment and get on with it,” he said.
“I just have to focus on when I come back training. I want to be a different animal when I come back. It’s going to be frightening.”