Ivan Toney insists fear of being targeted by racist abuse would not put him off taking a crucial penalty for England at this summer’s European Championship.
Three black England players - Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka - were subjected to horrific racist abuse on social media after missing penalties during the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.
Toney was not part of the squad for that tournament, but has been targeted by racists online on several occasions during recent club seasons.
In March 2023, a 24-year-old man was banned from every football stadium in the country for sending Toney a racist message on Instagram, while in February this year Brentford issued a public challenge to social media companies after the striker was again subject to “vile harassment” online.
Toney has a remarkable penalty record, having scored 23 out of 24 from the spot since signing for Brentford four years ago and is almost certain to be among England’s first-choice takers should Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland go to a shootout.
Asked whether the prospect of being abused should he miss would make him think twice about taking on the responsibility, the 28-year-old said: “I’m a confident person. If I score, I score. If I miss, I miss. We have to step up and you have to have the courage to take a penalty. What will be, will be.
“For those who racially abuse a player for missing a penalty or doing something wrong, more fool them.”
Toney has already made a major impact on this tournament, coming off the bench in the dying moments of England’s last-16 tie against Slovakia.
The Three Lions looked to be crashing out, but after Jude Bellingham’s 95th-minute leveller, Toney teed up Harry Kane for an extra-time winner.
England boss Gareth Southgate revealed afterwards that Toney was “pretty disgusted” at being sent on so late in the game and speaking ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the Swiss, the forward admitted he had to refocus heading into extra-time.
"Every player is going to have a bit of a hump at not playing games and with a minute to go you want a bit more than that,” he said.
“But we managed to get the equaliser and then it was up to me to put myself in a better space, fix my mood and then get on with the game. I managed to do that and managed to contribute.”
