Ivan Toney could exploit loophole in his FA ban that would allow him to play in a different sport during suspension

Ivan Toney could potentially spend pre-season with a club in a different sport due to a loophole in his ban.

Toney, who scored 20 goals for Brentford in the Premier League this season, was slapped with an eight-month ban for breaking Football Association betting rules.

He's not allowed within the football community until he has served half of his suspension. But the FA confirmed his ban is only football.

That means the 27-year-old is free to join another sports team to maintain fitness ahead of returning to action, according to The Sun.

Ivan Toney celebrates scoring against Manchester City. Image: Alamy

He could exploit a loophole in his ban as his suspension differs to a World Anti-Doping Agency sanction, where athletes are NOT permitted to participate in any sports.

So, he could feasibly have pre-season with rugby union side London Irish, who play their home matches at Brentford's home, as both sports share similar fundamentals in fitness.

Toney watched his side beat Manchester City on the final day of the league season as Thomas Frank delivered a powerful speech following the result.

Frank also hit out at the ban, suggesting the relationship between football and gambling needs to be reviewed.

"Football and gambling's relationship needs a review," he said.

"We got a massive reminder. The authorities have a massive task to make sure we do this much better.

"Yes, Ivan did something wrong but what I don't get is how can you not let him be involved in football at all for the first four months?

"What do you gain from that? If you want to rehabilitate people you give them education, you do something, and now he is left on his own."

He added: "There's no doubt for me that the first four months he could be involved in football, he should be forced to go into 100 schools to tell them about his football and background, that's how it should work, but I'm a football coach, what do I know?

Toney had been linked with a move away from Brentford following his prolific campaign. Though he appears set to remain at the Gtech Community Stadium ahead of returning to the sport.

Topics: Ivan Toney, Brentford, Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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