Why does Brentford forward Ivan Toney not take the knee before matches?

BRENTFORD are back in the English top-flight for the first time since 1947.

The Bees sealed promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs, with top-scorer Ivan Toney leading the way with 31 Championship goals.

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PAToney was Brentford’s top scorer as they made it to the Premier League for the first time[/caption]

Who does Ivan Toney not take the knee?

You may have noticed that the Brentford star doesn’t opt to take the knee before games.

The Premier League had confirmed before the season started that every team would continue the gesture after talks with players from all 20 sides.

Premier League players said in a statement: “We feel now, more than ever, it is important for us to continue to take the knee as a symbol of our unity against all forms of racism.

GettyBrentford took the knee up until February and will resume doing so in the Premier League[/caption]

“We remain resolutely committed to our singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect and equal opportunities for all.”

Brentford stopped taking a knee before Championship games in February because they felt the gesture no longer had the required impact.

But the Bees will now resume the practice as a sign of unity when they kick of the new season against Arsenal on Friday, August 13.

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Toney however has confirmed he will continue to stand, as he has done since Brentford players originally stopped making the gesture earlier this year.

The striker explained that he felt players were being ‘treated as puppets’ and that ‘nothing had changed’ as a result of the campaign.

Toney said in February: “Everyone has had their say, and everyone agrees we have been taking the knee for however long now and still nothing has changed.

“We are kind of being used as puppets, in my eyes; take the knee and the people at the top can rest for a while now, which is pretty silly and pretty pointless. Nothing is changing.”

GettyToney will remain standing this season when Brentford resume taking the knee[/caption]

And he backed up his decision to stand this season to Sky Sports: “Everyone will have their own views. They have come to the conclusion they will take the knee.

“Personally, I feel like off my own back, I will still be standing.

“My views are still the same as what I voiced before. On that note, nothing has really changed.

“Listen, everyone can find the negatives from it, everyone can find the positives from it.

“All that matters at the end of the day is what I think of it. That is all that matters to me, my family and the club.

“They are supporting me on my decision, they back me all the way.”