Ivan Toney has called for a Football Association inquiry after it was leaked that he had admitted to multiple betting charges.
The Brentford striker was charged in November with 232 alleged breaches of betting rules before being hit with a further 30 alleged breaches a month later. The alleged breaches took place between February 25, 2017 and January 23, 2021, during which time Toney had played for Scunthorpe, Wigan, Peterborough and Brentford.
With disciplinary proceedings set to start in the coming weeks, Toney has revealed he was “shocked” to see reports this week that he had admitted to some of the allegations.
"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," Toney wrote on Instagram on Thursday.
"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.
"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 of the England World Cup squad," added the striker, who was called up by England last September but did not make the subsequent World Cup squad.
"As I continue to be told the investigation is meant to be confidential, I am unable to provide any further comment. I shall continue to concentrate on my football."
