Thomas Frank said Ivan Toney’s future will be at Brentford after the striker was handed an eight-month ban for gambling offences.
The 27-year-old was found by the Football Association to have committed 232 breaches of its betting rules between 2017 and 2021.
It means Brentford’s top scorer will now not play again until January 2024, with the suspension also prohibiting him from working with his team-mates at the club’s training ground until September.
The FA indicated on Thursday it will apply to FIFA to have the ban extended worldwide, thereby ruling out the possibility of Toney being loaned abroad for the duration.
He has scored 20 of Brentford’s 54 Premier League goals this season as well as having made his debut for Gareth Southgate’s England side in what has been a breakthrough year for the former Peterborough forward.
Despite the suspension, Frank indicated that Toney will still have a future at the Gtech Stadium, though the club are awaiting clarification on the finer points of the punishment.
“I’ve been in contact with him. He’s disappointed and sad about the situation,” said Frank. “His future is with Brentford, there’s no doubt about that.
“We are waiting for the information so we know what we can do. What he’s allowed to do, especially for the first four months.
“One thing is for sure, we will do everything to be there for him, support him and be aware of the mental health in it.
“He’s made some mistakes, but we need to be there, and want to be there, for him and help him. We just need to know what we are allowed to do.”
Toney was first charged with 262 betting offences in November and December, with the FA later withdrawing 30 of the charges. He admitted to the remaining 232 in February, but it took a further three months for the punishment to be decided upon.
The charges stretch back to when he was a Newcastle player on loan at Scunthorpe and cover his time at Peterborough and his first years at Brentford.
Frank was asked for his views on the link between football and the gambling industry, particularly since Brentford carry the name of an online gambling site on their shirts.
He said that owing to the length of the ban, it was important that the club consider the mental health implications for the England striker.
“It is a challenge, for me personally, all the advertising for gambling done by clubs (and) individuals in the game, I think that’s an issue,” he said.
“I don’t know the full details of how much support or education the authorities provide. I know the Premier League and FA have a lot of initiatives in place that try to educate people out there.
“Education is the key thing. Across the world, education is the number one thing if you want to change a culture and mindset. That takes a lot of hard work and patience.
“We need to be aware of the mental health in this. Ivan is a footballer but he is also a human being that has family, a partner, young children, a mum and dad, siblings and friends and he has been on the front pages quite a lot.
“We need to do whatever to support him in that aspect.”
Montego Bay United relinquish JPL lead after crushing defeat to Mount Pleasant
Montego Bay United’s reign at the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standings came to an abrupt end on Sunday after a decisive 3-0 loss to Mount Pleasant in the North Coast Derby at Drax Hall. The result allowed Waterhouse to claim the top spot on the table despite playing to a 0-0 draw with Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park.
Mount Pleasant delivered a commanding performance, with coach Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore lauding his team’s defensive solidity and disciplined play.
"I thought it was an excellent performance, a collective effort from the unit. I think defensively we were solid, we didn't concede," said Whitmore. "For the past couple of games we have been missing penalties, but we happened to put one away today. Coach Ferguson said in our team meeting that we are getting a penalty today, and we did get it."
Despite challenging conditions due to a wet playing surface, Mount Pleasant maintained their style of play throughout the match.
"That's what we want to do, we want to keep our standard. I think we controlled the game for the most part, we didn't give the opponent any look-in. I think that augured well for us," Whitmore added.
The loss was a major blow to Montego Bay United, who now sit in third place with 20 points, level with Portmore United but behind on goal difference.
Waterhouse climbed to 21 points, one ahead of both Montego Bay United and Portmore United, after their goalless draw with Portmore. Both teams had chances in a tightly contested affair, but neither could find the breakthrough.
Portmore missed a golden opportunity five minutes into the second half when Junior Grizzle failed to convert. Waterhouse improved as the game progressed, but Shacquwell Henry came closest to securing a winner for Portmore, glancing a header wide from six yards out with 10 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Tivoli Gardens produced a scintillating display to crush Harbour View 6-0, marking one of the most emphatic results of the season. Meanwhile, Humble Lion and Dunbeholden played out a 0-0 stalemate.
'I'm probably more out than in' - Salah yet to be offered Liverpool extension
Mohamed Salah says he is "probably more out than in" at Liverpool as he is yet to receive an offer to extend his contract.
The Egyptian is Liverpool's top scorer this season, having netted 12 goals in all competitions, but is in the final months of his current deal, which runs out at the end of the campaign.
Salah became the first player to score in five successive Premier League appearances for the Reds with his two goals in the 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday, since the Egyptian himself in October 2021 (seven in a row).
His second goal in that match was also his 100th away from Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions.
Salah, who has scored 223 goals since joining from Roma in 2017, admitted he was disappointed with the current contract situation.
"We are almost in December, and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club," he said. "I'm probably more out than in.
"I'm not going to retire soon, so I'm just playing, focusing on the season, and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed, but we will see."
Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (12) has bettered Salah's tally of 10 goals this term.
Salah is one of three high-profile Liverpool players in the final year of their contracts, with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also approaching the end of their deals.
"You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this," Salah added.
"But in the end, it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December, and I haven't received anything yet about my future.
"I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end, it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see."
Mbappe getting 'up to speed' with Real Madrid team-mates
Kylian Mbappe believes he is finally getting up to speed with his Real Madrid team-mates after scoring in a 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganes on Sunday.
Mbappe, who had played in a central attacking role since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, went four games without scoring in all competitions before netting the opener against Leganes.
The 25-year-old has come under scrutiny since his move, despite scoring eight goals in his opening 16 matches in all competitions, as he has not hit the free-scoring heights he showed while at PSG.
He scored his seventh league goal of the campaign after being moved back to his preferred position on the left, with Carlo Ancelotti saying after the game he was satisfied with the tactical shift.
Mbappe combined well with fellow attacker Vinicius Junior, who usually operates down that flank, as the Brazilian set up the goal.
"Vinicius and I read each other very well. I've got a great relationship with him, and he's a great player," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the win.
"I think I put in a good performance. I'm starting to get up to speed with my team-mates. I can play in every position, and I'm ready to help the team and give my all.
"It's the story of my career. I play on the right, on the left, in the middle and with two up top. It doesn't matter to me. I want to help the team and score goals."
Madrid are second in the league, four points behind Barcelona, who have played one game more. The leaders drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
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