Ivan Toney subjected to ‘disgusting, racist abuse’

Image above: Ivan Toney; photograph Facebook

Brentford seeking legal action after star player Ivan Toney was subjected to ‘disgusting, racist abuse’ says the club

Bill Hagerty, who writes The Chiswick Calendar’s match reports, writes:

Brentford star striker Ivan Toney was the victim of ‘despicable’ racial abuse following his two-goal performance against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Gtech Stadium last Friday evening. Following the abuse on social media, Brentford called on the police to take action to bring the assailant to justice and the club also demanded Instagram and its parent company, Meta, should deal with what was ‘a hate crime’.

On Saturday morning Toney, 26, shared screenshots of an Instagram direct message that included a name and account details of the sender of the offensive message. ‘I wasn’t going to post it,’ said the player, who captained the Brentford side in their 2-0 victory, but I woke up angry.’

The club, Premier League and Football Association all issued statements condemning the attack, with the FA commenting:

‘This abhorrent behaviour must have consequences and we support strong action by the authorities and social media companies.’

Sky News have reported Instagram’s parent company, Meta, told them they were unable to take action on the account which racially abused Ivan Toney ‘because it has not been reported through their in-app tools.’

They say social media platform Meta has, however, removed two accounts belonging to the same person who sent the racist direct message to the Brentford striker.

The Metropolitan Police also told Sky Sports News they had sent a message to Toney asking him to contact them.

Image above: Ivan Toney’s 20th successful penalty; photograph Will Hagerty 

Toney looks likely to be picked for the World Cup squad

In other news, Toney’s performance, scoring twice at the weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion, the only goals of the match, puts Brentford in eighth place in the Premier League. The best possible answer to the lowlife who thinks it is ok to publish foul abuse is that Toney now looks likely to be picked for the World Cup squad, writes The Chiswick Calendar’s editor Bridget Osborne. Talent will out whatever they say.

In Sky’s England World Cup squad ladder, which ranks the top 40 contenders for a place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar 2022, Ivan Toney is the biggest climber this week.

‘Welcome to the departure lounge, Ivan Toney (24th)!’ they say.

The announcement of who will be in the squad is expected on Thursday.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar

See also: Brentford 2 – Brighton & Hove Albion 0

See also: Brentford FC condemn online abuse of women’s team

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