Brentford Manager Thomas Frank recently faced questions from the media regarding Ivan Toney’s eight-month ban for gambling offences.
Frank, who acknowledged that the matter threatened to overshadow the club’s achievements on the pitch, expressed his belief that education is key in addressing the issue of gambling in football.
He suggested that Toney, as an England international and top scorer for Brentford, could lead the way by visiting schools and sharing his experiences.
Frank also criticized the ban’s provision that Toney cannot train with the club for the first four months, arguing that this aspect of the punishment is counter-productive.
He promised to keep in touch with Toney during his exile and expressed his belief that support networks are crucial in rehabilitating individuals.
‘If I can’t speak to him, I guess they have to ban me as well,’ he said. ‘Because if I’m not allowed to speak with him on a support level, there must be something wrong. You are allowed to contact people who are in prison, so I guess I’m allowed.’
Despite the distraction, Frank remains focused on Brentford’s upcoming match against Premier League champions Manchester City.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
