Ivan Toney was the victim of racial abuse on social media after the Brentford striker’s two goals against Brighton on Friday. On Twitter morning, the 26-year-old shared screenshots of an Instagram direct message. “I wasn’t even going to post this but I woke up angry,” Toney wrote. He included the name and account details of the person who had sent him the offensive message.
Brentford called on the police, legal authorities and Instagram’s parent company, Meta, to bring the person involved to justice for a “despicable hate crime” against Toney, who received his first England call-up from Gareth Southgate last month.
“Last night, Ivan Toney was subjected to disgusting, racist abuse via a direct message received on social media,” Brentford said. “We condemn this discriminatory behaviour in the strongest possible terms. An attack on one of our players is an attack on all of us. Ivan will receive the full backing from the club and from the Brentford fans who we have already seen condemning the abuse.
“We expect strong support from the police, legal authorities and from Instagram’s parent company, Meta, to ensure that the individual involved faces the full force of the law for this despicable hate crime.”
The Premier League and Football Association condemned the attack on Toney. “No one should have to face abuse of the kind received by Ivan Toney. It has no place in football or society,” the Premier League said. The FA said: “This abhorrent behaviour must have consequences and we support strong action by the authorities and social media companies.”
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In May this year, Toney and his Brentford teammate Rico Henry spoke out to reveal that both their families had been racially harassed during a 3-2 win at Everton, Toney writing: “And for the man that racially abused my family I’ll do everything I can to get you the punishment you deserve!”
Everton launched an investigation of that incident in conjunction with Merseyside police but no arrests have been reported. In 2021, a complaint from Toney and Brentford led to an Instagram user being banned after the club put pressure on Meta to take action.
Toney’s two goals on Friday, the first a backheel, the second a trademark cool penalty took him to eight goals for the season, level with Harry Kane, to strengthen his candidacy for a place in England’s 26-man World Cup squad. The provisional squad has to be named by Friday.
