Brentford striker Ivan Toney has reportedly admitted to breaking Football Association betting rules.
Toney was charged in November with 232 breaches of the FA's gambling laws, before another 30 charges were added in December.
The alleged breaches took place between February 2017 and January 2021, during which time Toney represented four different clubs - Scunthorpe United, Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and Brentford.
After he was initially charged in November, Brentford released a statement which read: "The club has been in discussion with Ivan and his legal representatives.
"Those conversations will continue privately. We will make no further comment until the matter has been completed."
Ahead of his appearance before a disciplinary hearing, the Daily Mail says that Toney has admitted to many of the 262 charges that were issued by the FA, although he is contesting others.
The 26-year-old is expected to face a lengthy ban for breaking FA rule E8, which prevents players from betting on games, or sharing information for betting purposes.
England international Kieran Trippier was handed a 10-week ban in December 2020 for disclosing information for others to bet on his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid.
In 2017, Joey Barton, who was playing for Burnley at the time, admitted placing 1,260 football-related bets over the course of a 10-year period.
Barton was initially banned for 18 months, but his punishment was reduced to 13 months following an appeal.
With Toney set to be banned, he will be ruled out of contention for England's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine in March.
The forward failed to make the squad for the 2022 World Cup, but having scored 14 goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season, he was expected to feature in Gareth Southgate's plans.
An imminent suspension would also come as a blow to Brentford, who are now set to lose their top scorer as they attempt to qualify for European competition.
The Bees are currently unbeaten in 11 league matches and are sitting in ninth place and four points adrift of sixth position, which could become a European qualification spot by the end of the season. body check tags ::
