A CLOSE relative of Ivan Toney is working in a high street bookies despite the footballer’s gambling ban.
The family member — regularly in contact with the £50million Brentford striker — often processes punters’ bets on Premier League matches.
Their job has continued despite Toney, 27, serving an eight-month ban for placing 232 wagers.
A source said: “Talk about ironic, Toney’s relative has worked in the bookies for several years.
“They’ve not done anything wrong but it’s been a difficult time for them and his whole family.
“Some of the regulars are aware they are Toney’s relative but no one really talks about it. They just want to get on with their job.
“I think everyone in the family is just hoping he will be back playing this season and that everyone can get on with their lives.”
We are not identifying the relative or where they work, and there is no suggestion that they or the bookmakers in question were involved in any of Toney’s bets.
The Sun on Sunday revealed last November that Toney faced a string of betting charges, ending his hopes of playing for England in the World Cup in Qatar.
He is serving an eight-month ban imposed in May for the bets placed between 2017 and 2021.
Meanwhile, his pal and former Northampton teammate Lewis Wilson, 30, has also been banned for three months for betting breaches.
It emerged last week that the pair had been investigated over an exchange of tips on WhatsApp.
The FA have also charged Toney’s cousin, Nathan Hicks, with placing 2,753 bets from 2017 to 2022.
The 31-year-old midfielder is without a club after leaving Rushden & Diamonds.
He was previously fined £500 for 162 betting breaches between 2014 and 2017.
We approached the FA, Toney’s agent and Brentford for comment.
