Ivan Toney has revealed that he received a despicable racist message on social media after helping Brentford beat Brighton in the Premier League on Friday night.
Toney scored both goals as the Bees picked up a 2-0 win in west London. The England striker produced a lovely flicked finish to open the scoring before capping off the display with a trademark cool penalty to end Brentford’s run of three games without a win.
But after the high of a match-winning performance, Toney sadly had to put up with disgusting racism. Sharing screenshots of an Instagram direct message on Saturday morning, Toney tweeted: “I wasn’t even going to post this but I woke up angry…”
In a statement, Brentford called on social media companies to do more to prevent such incidents. "Last night, Ivan Toney was subjected to disgusting, racist abuse via a direct message received on social media," the statement read. "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."
According to Sky Sports News, the Metropolitan Police have contacted Toney about the abusive message.
Sadly this is not the first time Toney has received racist abuse on social media. Back in May, Toney spoke out after he and Brentford teammate Rico Henry’s families were targeted by racists. "You don't expect that in this day and age at a football match to happen to anybody, let alone your parents, that are coming to support you – mine and Rico's parents," he told Sky Sports.
"Off the back of winning, you're just thinking about getting the three points and it was a good feeling. Hearing that straight away, you switch to anger and being upset that your family, which has come to support you all those miles, experience that straight after a victory.
"It's sad that I'm still having to sit here and talk about racism without my family just going to a game like any normal person and having a normal day. Emotions sometimes get the better of people but it should never come out that is a reason for being racist. You can be angry with certain results but never should you jump to discriminate someone by the colour of their skin or whatever.”
The latest disgusting abuse came after an inspired performance from the striker, which emphasised his potential for England ahead of next month’s World Cup. Toney has not shied away from the possibility and spoke about his desire to play for Gareth Southgate’s side in a post-match interview.
“I'm ready to go,” he told Sky Sports. “Everyone's talking about England. I was disappointed not to get on last time but you've got to keep working. I just keep doing what I do best – score goals and do well for the team.
“With England you are playing with the best of the best. Without being big headed I didn't feel out of place. I felt I was ready for that step and whenever it comes along, I'm ready.
"I'm just trying to do the best I can for the team and if it's enough to get on the plane to the World Cup then so be it. All I can do is do my job and then hopefully it is enough. If I get to the World Cup then hopefully I'll get some minutes there."
