Ivan Toney ‘angry’ after family suffered alleged racial abuse at Everton game
Ivan Toney’s parents were allegedly racially abused after Brentford’s win at Everton (Nick Potts/PA)
Brentford striker Ivan Toney said he was left hurt and angry after claiming his parents were racially abused at Sunday’s Premier League win at Everton.
Merseyside Police are investigating after Toney and team-mate Rico Henry both alleged on social media that family members had been abused at Goodison Park after Brentford’s 3-2 win.
Toney told Sky Sports: “They’re fine, my mum and my family stayed strong for me because they knew how I’d react to it, but you don’t expect that in this day and age at a football match.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
“To anybody, let alone your parents who are coming to support you. Mine and Rico’s parents.
“Obviously there’s a lot of anger. Off the back of winning, you’re just thinking about the three points and hearing that straight away, you just switch to anger and being upset.”
Henry, who scored Brentford’s winner, and Toney both expressed their anger when revealing the abuse on Twitter after the match.
Everton responded to Toney’s post with a tweet, which read: “There is no place in football – or society – for racism. We are assisting Merseyside Police to ensure the individual is identified and dealt with appropriately.”
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
Merseyside Police confirmed late on Sunday night an investigation had been opened.
Detective Inspector Catherine Cox said: “We will support the victims in this case and work with Everton Football Club to find those responsible and bring them to justice. Their views and their abuse is not welcome here in Merseyside, and they do not represent the overwhelming majority of football fans.
“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage any football fans with information on racial abuse to speak with officers or stewards at the ground, or call 101 so we can identify and locate offenders, and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.”
Toney said Everton’s defeat, which left them two points above the relegation zone with two games to play, was no excuse for the perpetrators.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
He added on Sky Sports: “It’s sad that we still have this, that we’re having to talk about racism after my family just went to a game like any normal people, having a normal day.
“Listen, the emotions sometimes get the better of people, but that should not be a reason for racism.
“You can be angry at certain things and results, but never should you discriminate against them because of the colour of their skin.”
Today's Headlines
Park Life | Conor McGregor brags about his garden being as big as Phoenix Park
Copenhagen attack | Gunman kills three, leaves three critically wounded at Denmark shopping centre
'Scary' | Travis Barker reveals he was treated for ‘life-threatening pancreatitis’
BEEFY BILL | Hotelier Francis Brennan says “I had to take steak off menu as it’s too pricey’
Six dead as chunk of glacier breaks loose and slides down mountain in Italy
Collision | Two injured, one seriously, in Co Clare crash involving car and two motorbikes
Brutal Attack | Teenage boy rushed to hospital after Waterford assault
EXPOSED | Exclusive: Sick predator pictured moments after trying to snatch runner in broad daylight
Highlights from day six of Wimbledon
Former Rangers and Scotland keeper Andy Goram dies after short cancer battle