Following the eight-month ban of Brentford striker Ivan Toney due to a diagnosed gambling addiction, manager Thomas Frank has called for a review of the relationship between football and the gambling industry. Frank believes that authorities have a “massive task” to ensure that this relationship is improved. Toney was charged with 262 betting offences at the end of 2022 and admitted 232 breaches, and is prohibited from training until 17 September and cannot play football again until 17 January, 2024. Frank believes that Toney should be allowed to be involved in football during the first four months of his ban, and should be forced to go into 100 schools to tell them about his football and background. England manager Gareth Southgate also expressed his support for Toney, saying that it is important to look after people and give them structure. Frank agreed with Southgate, adding that more needs to be done to educate players.
In March 2021, Brentford were reported to be considering cutting ties with Hollywood Bets who have been their main kit sponsor since July 2021. The Premier League clubs then collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of their matchday shirts by the end of the 2025-26 season. However, after the deadline, clubs will still be able to continue featuring gambling brands in areas such as shirt sleeves and LED advertising. Eight top-flight clubs – Bournemouth, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton and West Ham – currently have gambling companies on the front of their shirts, worth an estimated £60m per year.
