Ivan Toney confirms he will NOT continue to take knee next season as it's 'not having impact' on fight against racism

IVAN TONEY has reiterated that he will continue to NOT take the knee despite Brentford’s U-turn.

The Bees released a statement in February revealing they would stop kneeling in the Championship because it was “no longer having an impact” on the fight against racism.


However, after a Premier League statement on Tuesday said that the gesture would continue this season, newly-promoted Brentford have decided to once again join in.

A Brentford spokesperson said: “The collective cause of tackling discrimination and racism is best served by acting in unison and solidarity with all our fellow Premier League teams.”

But star striker Toney will not be joining his teammates in doing so.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “The club made a decision and it was a tough one for them to make. I feel like if you strongly agree with something then do what you feel is best.

“Personally, I am going to remain standing because my beliefs don’t change, whether it is in the Championship or the Premier League or the conference.

“I still believe in what I believe in and I will continue to do so.”

Brentford are fully supportive of Toney’s decision, and added in their own statement: “The club respects the rights of all individuals to show their opposition to discrimination and racism in whichever way they feel is most appropriate to them.”

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Toney will join the likes of Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha in standing, who has criticised the gesture on several occasions as ‘degrading’.

Toney added: “In terms of making a difference, I will do what I think I need to do in the background, and whether the players remain doing what they want to do as well, I stand by.

“But the club and my family are backing me all the way.”

The taking of the knee in the 2021/22 campaign will be on show in the top flight’s opener on August 13, which sees Brentford welcome Arsenal to the Brentford Community Stadium.

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