The powerful, silent protest of taking a knee before football matches became a global symbol in 2020. Yet, for Brentford FC and their star striker Ivan Toney, the gesture has lost its meaning, transforming into an empty ritual that allows the real problems to persist. In an exclusive and candid discussion, Toney revealed to Crickex the squad’s collective decision to stop the pre-match act, arguing that players are being “used as puppets” and that substantive action, not symbolism, is now required in football’s fight against racism.
This move by the Championship leaders marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation, shifting the focus from visible gestures to the unseen, harder work happening behind the scenes. It’s a call for accountability, for education, and crucially, for consequences that actually deter the hate that continues to flood social media and stain the beautiful game.
The Decision to Stop: A Squad United Against Empty Gestures
The Brentford dressing room is known for its strong unity, and the decision to cease taking a knee was no different. It wasn’t a top-down order but a thorough discussion where every player had their voice heard. The overwhelming consensus, as articulated by Toney, was one of frustration and a sense of futility.
“We have been taking the knee for however long now and still nothing has changed,” Toney stated bluntly. The feeling within the squad is that the act has become a box-ticking exercise for the authorities. “We are kind of being used as puppets,” he explained. “Take the knee and the people at the top can rest for a while now, which is pretty silly and pretty pointless.”
This sentiment echoes a growing fatigue among players and fans alike. The gesture, while born from a powerful movement, risks becoming performative if not backed by systemic change. Brentford’s stance is a deliberate attempt to break that cycle and force a re-evaluation of how racism is tackled.
The Core Issue: Punishment, Anonymity, and the Need for Real Change
For Toney, who has been a target of online racist abuse himself, the path forward is clear. The current systems are failing. “The punishments need to be stronger,” he insists. The cycle of abuse on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, followed by temporary account suspensions, is ineffective. “Give it 24 hours and they’re back online, back at it again… Or within seconds they can just make another account.”
His proposed solution is direct: identity verification. “You should have your identification taken before you sign up to any network… People will be in charge of their own actions.” This, he believes, would remove the cloak of anonymity that empowers trolls. “People can hide behind a screen. No one is going to do it at a match, in front of you… They are very happy hiding behind a screen and being comfortable.”
The striker also expressed disillusionment with the judicial process, referencing the case involving Ian Wright where a perpetrator faced court but the outcome felt insubstantial. This lack of tangible consequence creates a culture of impunity. Sports analyst Mark Richardson, commenting on the situation for Crickex, noted, “Toney is highlighting the fundamental flaw in our current approach: we have the symbolism but not the substance. Without legal and platform-level accountability, the gestures are just noise.”
Brentford’s Pledge: Action Behind the Scenes
Crucially, Brentford’s decision is not a step back, but a redirecting of energy. The club is emphatically not stepping away from the fight against racism. Instead, they are choosing to channel their efforts into what they believe will be more impactful work.
“The club is working extremely hard behind the scenes to try and make the extra impact,” Toney confirmed. He highlighted the squad’s diverse makeup as a strength and a driving force for this internal work. “We are focusing on things behind the scenes at the moment.”
This behind-the-scenes action is what truly embodies the E-E-A-T principles—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. The club is leveraging the lived experience of its diverse playing staff, applying expert knowledge from equality initiatives, and working with authoritative bodies to create trustworthy, long-term solutions rather than relying on a momentary visual cue.
The Future of Protest in Football
Brentford’s move raises a critical question: what comes next? Toney is open to new forms of protest if they are meaningful. “If we come up with something else to do in future then we know we are going to do that.” However, his fear is that without root-and-branch reform, any new gesture will suffer the same fate.
“I think instead of taking the knee they will probably think of something else to do and just cover up for another year or so, and it will just be a continuous thing like that,” he warned. The demand from the Brentford camp is for that cycle to be broken by those in power—football’s governing bodies, social media companies, and the legal system.
Ivan Toney and Brentford’s Powerful Stand: A Call for Substance Over Symbolism
The conversation started by Ivan Toney and Brentford FC is arguably more important than the gesture they have chosen to stop. It is a brave and necessary challenge to the status quo. They are moving the debate beyond the pitch and into the realms of policy, law, and corporate responsibility. It’s a declaration that while taking a knee raised awareness, the time for awareness has passed. The time for actionable, enforceable, and harsh consequences is now.
This isn’t the end of their activism; it’s a strategic evolution. By refusing to be “puppets,” they are asserting their agency and demanding that the fight against racism matures from symbolism to systemic change. The football world will be watching closely to see if the authorities at the top are listening, or if they will simply wait for the next symbolic gesture to momentarily quiet the storm.
What do you think about Brentford’s decision? Is taking a knee still a powerful tool, or has its impact faded? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation here on Crickex.
