Ivan Toney claims that missing the 2014 World Cup was a greater penalty than the suspension he received for violating Football Association betting regulations.

In May, the Brentford striker received an eight-month suspension after confessing to 232 betting-related infractions.

He was charged in November and was left off of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man World Cup roster.

He told the Kick Game YouTube channel, “Support is good, but how I am, I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me.”

“Missing out on a World Cup, which is everyone’s dream, is bigger than missing eight months of football,” the athlete said. “Even though I miss eight months of football, that was the biggest punishment.”

After receiving his first call-up to Southgate’s squad in September of last year, Toney earned his first England cap as a late substitute in the 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Ukraine in March.

The 27-year-old, who received a reduced suspension due to a recognized gambling addiction, won’t be permitted to play until January 17, 2024.

Four months before the ban expires, on September 17, he can resume training with Brentford.

Toney answered, “I did what I did before; the punishment is the punishment; get on with it.

“I just need to concentrate on my upcoming workouts. When I return, I want to be a different species. It is going to be terrifying.

With 20 goals, Toney finished third in the Premier League last season and guided Brentford to a ninth-place finish.