Facebook delete account of user who racially abused Brentford footballer Ivan Toney

BRENTFORD’S IVAN TONEY has become the latest professional footballer to receive racist abuse on social media. Facebook has now deleted the account of an Instagram user who racially abused Toney on the social media platform.

The Championship footballer posted on his Instagram story a screengrab of a user who had replied to a post on his page using the N-word.

Toney, 24, has been subject to racists before. Two years ago, while he was playing for former club Peterborough, he was subjected to similar abuse when he was sent banana and monkey emojis by a user on the same social media platform.

Sanjay Bhandari, chair of anti-racism charity Kick It Out, said: “The comment Ivan Toney received on his Instagram page is unacceptable and we hope the appropriate action is taken against the individual responsible.

“We are working closely with the football authorities, law enforcement, and social media organisations to find solutions to tackle online abuse and bring about real change, in order to give players greater protection. Situations like this show us once again that online hate must have real-life consequences.

“People feel they are free to say want they want online because they think there will be no consequences – but that must change. We hope that information about the perpetrator will be shared with law enforcement swiftly, to enable appropriate action.”

Kick It Out is football’s equality and inclusion organisation – working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.

Only recently, the first dedicated football hate crime officer was appointed. West Midlands Police officer, PC Stuart Ward, has been tasked with tackling racists in football in the United Kingdom.

Ward is based in a football unit and leads their efforts to stamp out the issue, with his force saying his role offers “greater ability to investigate offences.”