Premier League right-back Harry Toffolo banned for 4 months for in-game infringements

A Premier League player has been suspended for breaching the Football Association’s playing rules.

Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo has been suspended from football for five months after admitting 375 breaches of betting rules.

He was also fined $26,175.

Toffolo was charged by the FA in July. After an investigation, Toffolo admitted to violating the FA’s playing rules 375 times between 2014 and 2017.

The 27-year-old played for several teams during that period despite having a contract with Norwich City, which played in the Championship (second division of English football). Toffolo had loan spells at Swindon, Rotherham, Peterborough and Scunthorpe during the period in which he broke the rules.

Toffolo made 21 appearances for Nottingham Forest last season. He is yet to appear in a Premier League match this season. The right-back came off the bench to play 20 minutes in the defeat against Burnley in the Carabao Cup. He will be able to return in January 2024.

Toffolo is the second Premier League player to be suspended or banned by the FA for breaking the rules of the game this year. Ivan Toney was suspended for eight months after 232 charges of violating the rules.

An independent regulatory commission investigated and imposed the ban on Toffolo. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons are expected to be published in due course. The written details will detail what Toffolo was betting on or possibly whether he was providing inside information about the game.