Race shame as Bees duo targeted at Goodison

BRENTFORD players Ivan Toney and Rico Henry were left disgusted after both reported issues of racist abuse during their side’s 3-2 win at Everton. In what was an unprecedented situation for a Premier League game, two players from the same team took to social media to highlight episodes at Goodison Park and make clear the disgust they felt at such treatment. Visiting striker Toney, who was brought down in the first half by Jarrad Branthwaite in a moment that led to the Everton defender being sent off, posted first, saying: ‘And for the man that racially abused my family I’ll do everything I can to get you the punishment you deserve.’ Defender Henry scored Brentford’s winning goal and was the victim of the other sending-off incident when Salomon Rondon lunged at him late on. He posted 40 minutes after Toney, saying: ‘I never usually speak out on things that don’t physically harm me or my family but to see my mom upset after being racially abused by a few Everton fans brought fire to my stomach! ‘I will do anything for them & whatever it takes to get the small minority punished! This is not acceptable and must be investigated immediately.’ Everton were appalled to learn that Toney and Henry, who had both been instrumental in securing a deserved success for Thomas Frank’s team, had suffered such experiences and vowed to take the strongest possible measures. The club are working with Merseyside Police to find out what happened during the game and will impose lifetime bans — on top of whatever legal punishments may follow — to anyone found responsible for such reprehensible acts. Toney and Henry raised the issue after the game, at which time Everton’s security team were made aware of the developments. The club are studying CCTV footage and will hand over everything they have to Merseyside Police. In reply to Toney’s tweet, the Everton account wrote: ‘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.’