Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> star Paul Merson has labeled recent bans given to Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali as a “disgrace.” Both players received lengthy suspensions due to gambling on soccer matches. Toney was previously given an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ivan-toney-receives-eight-month-suspension-for-betting-20230517-WST-433319.html">eight-month ban</a> back in May of 2023 for breaching 232 betting rules.



The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/brentford-tv-schedule/">Brentford</a> striker only just returned to the pitch in January. He has netted four goals in 10 matches so far back with the Bees. Tonali, on the other hand, is currently serving a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newcastle-ponders-lawsuit-against-milan-over-tonali-transfer-20231025-WST-464683.html">10-month ban</a> for similar charges. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a> signed the central midfielder in July of 2023 from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> for a fee of around $69 million. However, the Italian was then hit with the suspension just three months later.



Nevertheless, Merson, now working as a pundit, does not believe that soccer authorities fully understand the addiction part of gambling. The analyst recently addressed the issue during an appearance on the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hkky3f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sacked in the Morning</a> podcast.



“People have no respect for the gambling addiction,” <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68595134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Merson. “We’ve seen that with the bans of Sandro Tonali at Newcastle and Ivan Toney at Brentford.”



“To give people 10-month bans for an addiction that is ravaging football, with sponsorships all over the shirts… They needed help and I don’t think ‘help’ is giving them 10-month bans.”



“We underestimate this addiction. We need to show it some respect and not, ‘Oh, show a bit of willpower’. I would say to the people who make these rules up and ban people, ‘Next time you get diarrhea, try and stop that with willpower.&apos;”



<h2>Merson says issues with gambling have overtaken alcohol abuse at rehab center</h2>



Merson previously had a successful career during his time with several teams, including the Gunners. While at Arsenal, the playmaker helped the North London side collect two league titles before the formation of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>. He also won <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/league-cup-tv-schedule/">League Cup</a> trophies with the team.



While Merson excelled on the pitch, he has been open about substance abuse and gambling issues throughout his adult life. In a recent podcast appearance, the pundit claimed that betting addictions are perhaps a bigger problem in the sport than alcohol. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/16044228/Tonali-Newcastle-1200x670-1200x670.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-496260" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



“It’s big in football, it’s a hidden addiction because it’s a hard one for managers to get hold of,” continued Merson. “It’s easy to hide. If a player comes in who’s been out drinking ’til four o’clock in the morning, you know. But if they drop 200 grand at a casino or betting, you never know until it’s too late.”



“Talking to Tony [Adams] about Sporting Chance [rehabilitation clinic], it’s gone from 70-30 in terms of drinking over gambling to the other way round – it’s 70% gambling and 30% drinking. That tells you it’s a massive thing.”



<h2>Soccer leagues cannot have players betting on games</h2>



Merson certainly has a point regarding how many view gambling addiction. It is undoubtedly not looked at or treated the same as alcohol or drug issues. Compulsive betting, however, can essentially ruin lives just as easily as other more prominent and observable problems.



While the former Arsenal star is correct that the addiction needs to be taken more seriously, professional leagues cannot have players betting on their matches. 



In Toney’s aforementioned case, English officials <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/betting-addiction-diagnosis-got-toney-ban-reduced-by-3-months-20230526-WST-434908.html">reduced his sentence</a> due to being officially diagnosed with a betting addiction. The striker also placed bets on his team to lose, but he did not feature in any of these fixtures. Toney would have likely received an even harsher punishment if he deliberately helped his team lose while he was on the pitch. 



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Merson claims gambling in soccer more of an issue than alcohol

Former Arsenal star and current pundit, Paul Merson, has labeled recent bans given to stars Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali as a "disgrace."

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-15595" src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/logo0405-300x300.jpg" alt="Aston Villa Badge" width="300" height="300"></figure></div>Aston Villa are riding high under the tutelage of Martin O’Neill, a good crop of young English player have established the club in the higher echelons of the Premier League, but the last ten years has seen a number of player come and go at Villa Park, but who are the top five from the previous decade. Let’s find out.
5. Paul Merson: 1998 – 2002, 117 apps
He may not have played for much of the decade, he also had his troubles off the park, but the impact Paul Merson had on Aston Villa cannot be understated. Signed in the summer of 1998 for £6.75 million, he quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite, helping them reach the F.A. Cup Final in 2000. The goal below does nothing but demonstrate his immense talent.

4. James Milner: 2005-2006 &amp; 2008 – present, 88 apps
A more recent edition to the list, James Milner has had two spells at Villa. First joining in 2005 for a season long loan spell from Newcastle United, he was one of the few players to gain any credit during a disappointing season for Villa. Newcastle then refused to sell the winger come midfielder and it wasn’t until 2008that a permanent transfer was completed. His versatility and work rate have ensured Milner is a key component in this Aston Villa side.
3. Gareth Barry: 1997 – 2009, 365 apps
Forget the way he left the club; remember the years he was there. An excellent passer of the ball, Barry’s great strength was his versatility which allowed him to play as a holding midfielder, attacking midfielder, or defender. Former club captain and youth graduate, he spent more than a decade with Villa. He is also seventh in the all-time list of appearances for the club.
2. Olof Mellberg: 2001 – 2008, 232 apps
A giant of a man and an excellent defender with some stunning facial growth. The big Swede signed from Racing Santander in 2001 and instantly became the rock the heart of the Villa defence for many years. His parting gift on his last game for Aston Villa, away to West Ham, he gave every single Villa fan at Upton Park either a home or an away shirt with his name and number on the back emblazoned with the message ‘Thanks 4 Your Support’.
1. Martin Laursen: 2004 – 2009, 91 apps.
An injury plagued career ensued at Villa, the £3 million signing from AC Milan in 2004, would prove to be key in Aston Villa’s chase for success. Initially, a frustrated figure, Laursen would soon prove himself as the number one defender at the club, an excellent scorer of goals and taking over the club captaincy from Barry in 2008, he was a natural leader. He was also voted the Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2008. Retiring from the game in May 2009, he gave an emotional speech at Aston Villa’s final game of the season at home to Newcastle United.
Do you agree with Martin Laursen as number one? Would you have Gareth Barry in the list given his exit from the club and does Paul Merson deserve to be on the list at all? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Top 5 Aston Villa Players of the Last Decade

Top 5 Aston Villa Players of the Last Decade - World Soccer Talk

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Top 5 Aston Villa Players of the Last Decade