In an unprecedented decision, a man who racially abused Brentford striker Ivan Toney on social media has been barred from entering any stadium in the nation.
Northumbria Police and the Metropolitan Police began a thorough investigation when Toney posted a picture of the abuse he had suffered on Instagram.
On October 14 of last year, 24-year-old Antonio Neill sent Toney the offensive note. The suspect was identified after police handled the message as a hate crime.
Neill stood before Newcastle magistrates on January 25. And he pleaded guilty for sending an offensive message.
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The 24-year-old was given a four-month sentence. Suspended for two years for the online offense. And was given a three-year football suspension. The ruling was made on Monday, March 13 at the same court. This was the first case to be handled under the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act 2022.
A statement from Brentford Football Club read: “Brentford FC is pleased to see the Antonio Neill case resolved and that Northumbria Police pursued this to a conclusion.
Court appearances set a strong precedent for anyone else who commits hate crimes. It is our hope that sentences increase in severity until this sort of crime is eradicated.
“Ivan Toney has been subject to sickening racist abuse on a regular basis. And we want to see tough action taken against anyone found guilty of such abuse.
The club firmly believes there is no place for racial abuse in football. And we continue to support and implement a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour of any kind.
“All authorities have their role to play in this. And call upon the social media companies to make their platforms safe for all participants and to remove all hateful content.”
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