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      Ivan Toney slams ‘we are being used as puppets’ over taking knee in support of BLM as Brentford refuse to do it any more

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      BRENTFORD star Ivan Toney claims players are being ‘used as puppets’ as he explained why the club’s squad are no longer making the anti-racism gesture before games.
      The Championship’s 24-goal top scorer believes the gesture is allowing ‘people at the top’ to just rest on the subject and as a result it has not changed anything.

      Ivan Toney has opened up on why Brentford are no longer taking the knee pre-matchCredit: Rex Features

      The striker says players are being ‘used like puppets’ in the taking the knee gestureCredit: PA:Press Association

      The promotion-chasing Bees announced last Saturday their players would not be taking the knee any longer and they failed to do it before last Sunday’s home defeat to Barnsley.
      The 24-year-old striker told Sky Sports: “We have had a long discussion about that; why we are not taking a knee.
      “Everyone has had their say, and everyone agrees [that] 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.”

      The ex-Peterborough star continued: “The punishments need to be stronger. You’re going to do so much and, in a way, you have to get that helping hand, but it doesn’t look like it’s coming at the moment.
      “So you have to push for that and hopefully things change.
      “You have to try and educate people more but the question is, do people want to be educated? That’s another topic.
      “You can only do so much, you can only try and help certain people. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t force him to drink.

      Brentford decided not to take the knee before last week’s clash with BarnsleyCredit: Getty

      “The club is working extremely hard behind the scenes to try and make the extra impact. I think that’s big because the diversity in our team is massive.
      “You have people from different backgrounds and we are all working together towards the same goal. That’s key to have really.
      “We are focusing on things behind the scenes at the moment.
      “But come Saturday we won’t be taking the knee. If we come up with something else to do in future then we know we are going to do that.”
      Toney’s comments come just days after Wilfried Zaha said it was ‘degrading’ for black people to have to take part in football’s symbolic attempts to eradicate racism.
      The Crystal Palace ace is fed up that people of colour still have to go the extra mile to prove they matter as much as everybody else.
      And he also accused social media giants of a charade in their claims to be tackling race abuse online.
      Toney himself was subjected to online abuse last month and reported it to police.

      Ivan Toney was subjected to online abuse last month and reported it to policeCredit: Rex Features
      But he believes those committing such acts are being allowed to hide behind anonymity – although Facebook have announced stricter punishments for violations on their platforms, which includes Instagram.
      However, Toney has called for harsher punishments for racists from law enforcement.
      He told Sky Sports: “You should have your identification taken before you sign up to any network like Twitter or Facebook. People will be in charge of their own actions.
      “If anything goes out there, you know this person has done it, know where to locate them; short and sharp.
      “Now someone can say something online, the account will get blocked for a bit, give it 24 hours and they’re back online, back at it again.
      “I feel like they’re not going to learn. Or within seconds they can just make another account. So it is very easy for people to do something like that.
      “People can hide behind a screen. No one is going to do it at a match, in front of you, like throw a banana at a black player or something. They are very happy hiding behind a screen and being comfortable.”
      The hotshot added: “There was an incident recently, I put it out there. The media’s been saying I don’t want to take it further.
      “They made it seem like I’m not really bothered. But it’s far from that. It’s because I don’t really think it’s going to go any further.
      “They might get a slap on the wrist but, come next week, they can just do it again. So I feel like the punishment has to be harder.

      Wilfried Zaha feels taking the knee in the fight against racism is degradingCredit: PA:Press Association
      “We are actually looking through our mentions for racist abuse. That should never be the case.
      “Okay people might say you’re rubbish but colour shouldn’t come into the situation. I feel like that is very frequent at the moment.
      “People feel comfortable just throwing things out there not realising people’s feelings.
      “Personally, the way things are going at the moment, 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. Whereas there needs to be harsher punishment.”
      Twitter banned an account which sent racist abuse to Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah.
      The Gunners striker, 21, was racially abused on social media after posting a picture of himself at training.
      A response to Nketiah’s photo captioned ‘working with a smile’ told him to leave the club along with a racist message.

      Eddie Nketiah was racially abused on Twitter this weekCredit: Getty
      And a spokesperson for Twitter told Sky Sports News: “Racist behaviour has no place on our service and when we identify accounts that violate any of the Twitter Rules, we take enforcement action.
      “The account referenced has been permanently suspended.”
      Top pros have demanded action from social media giants after vile abuse from trolls.
      Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial are among those to have suffered racist hate.
      Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger also revealed he was targeted with racist abuse.
      Managers Mikel Arteta and Steve Bruce along with referee Mike Dean have all received death threats on social media.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Ryan Shawcross set to join Inter Miami on free transfer after ripping up Stoke deal to move to David Beckham’s MLS side

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      RYAN SHAWCROSS has ended his 14-year stint at Stoke City to sign for Phil Neville at David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      The 33-year-old Potters captain was out of contract but has terminated his deal early to head Stateside.

      Ryan Shawcross has left Stoke to join Inter MiamiCredit: Alamy Live News

      The veteran defender is heading Stateside to sign for David Beckham’s MLS clubCredit: Alamy Live News

      Centre-half Shawcross, who arrived at Stoke from Manchester United in 2007, had made just two Championship appearances from the bench this season.
      Now he has secured his exit and will arrive in America ready to begin pre-season training at Inter on February 22, as reported by Sun Sport earlier this month.
      Stoke confirmed his departure earlier to ‘pursue new playing opportunities in the United States’.
      Chief executive Tony Scholes said: “Ryan’s contribution to the club over the last 14 years simply cannot be overestimated.

      “His outstanding leadership and the consistency of his displays made him a talismanic figure for us.
      “He has been an outstanding role model, both on and off the pitch, and the way he applied himself in training and matches epitomised the city of Stoke-on-Trent – hard-working, committed and loyal.
      “He feels the time is right to explore new opportunities and leaves with our very best wishes.
      “I would like to take this opportunity to wish Ryan, his wife Kath and their family every success for the future – they will always be welcome at the bet365 Stadium.”

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      Stoke manager Michael O’Neill added: “It’s very rare these days for a player to stay at one club for 14 years. I’m sure Ryan has had opportunities to go elsewhere down the years but he clearly felt settled and valued here.
      “He hasn’t figured as often as he would have liked over the past couple of years but his professionalism and the way he has conducted himself, both on the training ground and around the club, since I joined simply cannot be questioned.
      “Ryan has an exciting opportunity ahead of him which I know he’s keen to grasp and I wish him nothing but success for the future.”
      Shawcross, who won one England cap, took over the captaincy in 2009 and led Stoke out in the 2011 FA Cup Final.
      He had remained a regular in the defence until he suffered a fractured leg in pre-season 2019.
      Despite the transfer window in England being closed, American clubs are still able to buy players from Europe.

      Phil Neville was recently appointed Inter’s new boss by owner and pal David BeckhamCredit: Instagram
      Neville recently left his role as England Women’s boss to go and work for his former Old Trafford and Class of 92 pal Becks.
      And now he is wasting no time in bringing in reinforcements ahead of his first season at the helm.
      Inter are preparing for their second MLS campaign – which kicks off on April 17.
      Shawcross is joining superstars like Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi as Neville attempts to improve on last season’s disappointing 10th-placed finish in the Eastern Conference.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Delia Smith would rather flog star asset Max Aarons than sell Norwich to ‘an Arab Sheikh or Russian oligarch’

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      DELIA SMITH has claimed she would rather flog a star asset then sell out Norwich ‘to an Arab Sheikh or a Russian oligarch’.
      Supercook Delia and her husband Michael Wynne Jones are on the verge of another Prem return with the Canaries four points clear at the top of the Championship.

      Delia Smith would rather sell a star player than flog the club to ‘an Arab Sheikh or a Russian Oligarch’Credit: Reuters

      Max Aarons has been catching the eye of Bayern MunichCredit: Rex Features

      Last summer Norwich resisted Barcelona’s attempts to land right-back Max Aarons, persuading the talented youngster to stay at Carrow Road, although Bayern Munich are still keen.
      But they did sell Ben Godfrey to Everton for £20m, while Jamal Lewis joined Newcastle for a similar fee.
      And Smith conceded the club’s business model meant they would be willing to let others go for the right price rather than passing over the club to a new owner with a short-term vision and no personal interest in the Canaries.
      She told the FT Business of Football Summit: “We really love the club and see our role as caretakers. And caretakers have to take care. 

      “This club is a precious thing, a community thing and if  somebody made an offer we would ask the supporters. 
      “We really would like, if we could, to have a really healthy club that is going well in the Premier League without having to sell it, because it might go to someone who doesn’t care about it.
      “Our formula is to bring through our youth players, under a manager who believes in youth players.
      “We want to do it differently from an Arab Sheikh or a Russian oligarch. If you say that’s being Utopian, I will take that – I am Utopian.

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      Several success stories have come from January transfers

      “We’re really proud of James Maddison and Ben Godfrey. Their success is lovely for us. It’s what we do.
      In the same way, Max is one of the best. He is going to be a tp player and not at Norwich. We know that we will lose him and he knows it.
      “So of course we know we will have to sell and we would rather have £40m for Max than the money from a Sheikh or oligarch.
      “And when he goes, you just need to have another one read. You might say it’s a case of ’here’s one I made earlier’.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Darren Drysdale axed from refereeing duty this weekend after heated clash with Ipswich’s Alan Judge

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      DARREN DRYSDALE will not referee this weekend after his heated clash with Ipswich’s Alan Judge.
      The official was charged with improper conduct by the FA following the confrontation with midfielder Judge on Tuesday night.

      Darren Drysdale went head-to-head with Alan JudgeCredit: © Richard Calver – www.matchdayimages.com

      As a result, PGMOL, who represent the referees, have now replaced him with Declan Bourne for Southend’s match with Bolton on Saturday.
      A day after the incident, Drysdale issued a grovelling apology in a statement released by the PGMOL.
      He said: “I fully understand that it is important to maintain our composure throughout the game and always engage with players in a professional manner.
      “I’m sorry that I did not do that last night and I can only apologise to Alan and Ipswich Town.”

      Drysdale locked heads with Judge and then seemed to square up to him in the latter stages of the Portman Road clash against Northampton.
      The ref is said to have flipped and used foul and abusive language when Judge insisted he had been brought down and not dived in a bid to win a spot kick.
      The Ipswich midfielder responded to the episode on Wednesday night and told his club’s website that Drysdale’s reaction did not upset him.
      Judge said: “Referees have a tough job to do and it was heat of the moment stuff that happens in football.

      As I said in this 👇. There was no need for an apology. I wasn’t looking for one or looking for any action to be taken. In football as everybody knows stuff happens in the heat of the moment in a game. We all make mistakes and for me that is the end of this https://t.co/ujQsF9lQ4N
      — alan judge (@10judgey) February 17, 2021

      “The photo makes it look worse than it was and to be honest, the matter was finished with from my end as soon as I walked off the pitch.
      “I wasn’t looking for the referee to apologise; I wasn’t looking for him to be charged. There was never going to be a complaint from me and I made that clear.
      “Like I said, for me – it was finished with straight away.”
      Aston Villa’s England internationals Tyrone Mings and Jack Grealish both leapt to the ref’s defence.
      Mings Tweeted: “Everyone makes mistakes…..nothing to see here.”

      Grealish added: “Ah come on?! No need to apologise at all! I think it’s brilliant.”
      But FA chiefs had already opened a probe and Drysdale was yesterday charged with a breach of rule E3.
      A commission will determine the next step if the ref accepts his guilt, as now seems likely, with a short ban of up to three games the anticipated punishment.
      The incident comes with the FA looking to scrap the current maximum ten-year ban for violence towards refs and allow life suspensions More

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      Wenger confirms ex-Arsenal stars Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira went head-to-head for Bournemouth job

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      ARSENE WENGER confirmed Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry went head-to-head for the Bournemouth manager’s job.
      Arsenal legend Henry is favourite to land the gig and is in talks with the South Coast side.

      Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were both in the running for the Bournemouth jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Arsene Wenger confirmed former midfielder Vieira was ‘in the frame’Credit: Getty – Pool

      But his old Gunners team-mate Vieira was also in the running.
      Speaking on pundit duty for BeIN Sports during Wednesday night’s Champions League action, Wenger was asked for his thought on Henry’s position as frontrunner for the role.
      And the 71-year-old said: “I knew a little bit about Patrick Vieira, when he was in the frame, but Thierry Henry, being at Montreal, I didn’t expect him to leave.
      “But it’s a good club, Bournemouth, and I think a good test as well for somebody.

      “They have good players and they work well, so I think it’s a great platform for a young manager to show that he can do it in England enough to go to the Premier League.”
      The Cherries sacked Jason Tindall at the start of February, placing Jonathan Woodgate in interim charge and are on the hunt for a full-time successor.
      Former boss Eddie Howe as well as Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and John Terry have also been linked with the managerial vacancy.
      The Bournemouth board have been locked in meetings and interviews for the last two weeks and have spoken Henry – who is odds on favourite for the job.

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      However SunSport understands he has not yet been interviewed, although the Cherries would be interested in a formal discussion with the World Cup winner.
      Gunners icon Henry is currently in charge at MLS side Club de Foot Montreal, formerly Montreal Impact.
      Henry started his coaching career as Roberto Martinez’s assistant with Belgium before earning his first managerial post at Monaco, where he only lasted 20 matches before being fired.
      He was appointed at Montreal in November 2019 and has overseen nine wins, four draws and 16 defeats in his 29 matches at the helm.
      Vieira has been out of work since leaving French side Nice in December and would have been keen on the role, as would ex-Huddersfield chief David Wagner who is still in the running.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Wayne Rooney wants VAR SCRAPPED and claims it sucks joy out of goal celebrations and ruins football for fans

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      WAYNE ROONEY has slammed the VAR system for sucking the joy out of goal celebrations and says it is killing fun in football.
      The Derby boss fears a crucial connection between players and fans will be lost when spectators return to football unless VAR decisions can be sped up because players no longer know if they have scored or not.

      Wayne Rooney now manages Derby in the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association

      One of Rooney’s most iconic goal celebrations came in 2015 – after The Sun on Sunday had revealed exclusive footage of a home video in which the striker was apparently knocked out by Stoke’s Phil Bardsley during a playful bout of sparring in Rooney’s kitchen.
      After scoring against Spurs in his next game Rooney mocked himself by producing a flurry of punches in an impromptu bout of shadow boxing – then pretended to take one on the chin and fell backwards to signify himself hitting the canvas.
      That’s why he says he felt for Leicester City’s James Maddison on Saturday when he scored a brilliant free kick equaliser against Liverpool to set up his side’s 3-1 win – yet didn’t dare celebrate it!
      Rooney, whose Derby side take on Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night, said: “I saw James Maddison after he scored and he stood around and didn’t know whether it was a goal or whether it would be disallowed.

      “I think it’s ridiculous players are waiting around for one minute, two minutes, to see if the goal will stand.  If we knew every decision was right people would accept it better – but the fact they aren’t getting all the decisions right is even more frustrating.
      “We have to allow referees to do their job and accept there will be human error within that. But if that means keeping that emotion and excitement in the game, I’m sure a lot of people would want to see that.
      “A goal is the one time the fans feel connected to their club and their player, when they are celebrating a goal together. Take that away and you lose that connection players have with fans.”
      Rooney had more than 300 career goals to choose his favourite celebration from, during a stellar career in which he became Manchester United and England’s greatest ever goalscorer.

      Wayne Rooney produced his iconic KO celebration against Spurs in 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor

      James Maddison was initially reluctant to celebrate his strike against LiverpoolCredit: Jon Super/ The Guardian
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      He enjoyed Jamie Vardy’s rock n’ roll celebration, using the corner flag as a makeshift electric guitar after scoring against Liverpool at the weekend and revealed: “I didn’t really do that many which I worked on – it was a reaction, it just happened.  
      “Of course there are also some embarrassing celebrations out there but that’s a part of football and it’s great for fans to see.”
      Rams fans have yet to see Rooney doing a knee-slide down the touchline yet in his new role as Derby boss but he was pleased with the elaborate corner kick routine against Middlesbrough at the weekend which led to Lee Gregory’s opener.
      “The plan was to do it 5,6,7 times in training but we did it once and we scored off it, so we didn’t go back and do it again,” said Rooney. “So that’s two from two – Wycombe have seen it now but all the best trying to work it out because it’s difficult to defend.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Ex-Charlton ace Madelene Wright shares nude picture in bath in cheeky Valentine’s Day snap for followers

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      FORMER Charlton player Madelene Wright shared a nude picture in the bath to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
      The stunning footy star was surrounded by rose petals for the cheeky snap.

      Madelene Wright shared nude picture in the bath in a Valentine’s Day post for her followersCredit: Instagram @madelene_wright

      Madelene Wright was sacked by the Charlton in DecemberCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wright

      The former footballer is out in DubaiCredit: Instagram

      Wright, who has been staying in Dubai recently, continues to grow her social media presence having been forced into a career change.
      Wright was sacked by the Addicks in December after controversial videos of her swigging champagne while driving and inhaling from a balloon at a party emerged online.
      She announced in January that she had set up an OnlyFans account – charging £24 on the X-rated site.
      The ex-Millwall footballer encouraged her Insta followers to check out her profile with the steamy Valentine’s Day selfie.

      Wright has been without a club since Charlton let her go before Christmas after a series of controversial videos were uploaded to Snapchat.
      It is understood in the clips the 22-year-old can be seen at a party with friends, where a number of people were inhaling from balloons.
      A second video allegedly showed the former Championship star drinking champagne while driving her luxury Range Rover.
      After the clips were shared on social media, Charlton Athletic confirmed that Wright’s registration had been cancelled and that she would no longer play for the club.

      Speaking to SunSport about her contract being terminated, a Charlton spokesperson said: “The club were made aware of the video and quickly investigated the incident.
      “As a club we are disappointed with the behaviour which doesn’t represent the standards the team upholds.
      “The player is remorseful and has now left the club.
      “The club would like to make clear that although the behaviour is not acceptable, the players welfare remains important to us and she will still have access to the club’s support channels if needed.”

      Madelene Wright has been without a club since Charlton let her go

      She also played for Milwall

      Madelene Wright announced in January that she has set up an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wright

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      Brentford refuse to take knee before Barnsley game because it ‘no longer believe that this is having an impact’

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      BRENTORD’S players refused to take the knee before today’s clash with Barnsley.
      The Bees squad issued a statement on Saturday night reinforcing their commitment to eradicating racism and discrimination, but explained they believe the gesture is ‘no longer having an impact’.

      Brentford’s players did not take the knee prior to their clash with BarnsleyCredit: Rex Features

      Josh Dasilva raises his right fist as Brentford players decided not to take a kneeCredit: Rex Features

      And they lived up to that announcement as their stars remained stood while Barnsley’s players did continue to take the knee prior to kick off.
      The decision to ditch the gesture, which began in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, comes just days after Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha said it was ‘degrading’ for black players to have to take the knee to ‘show that we matter’.
      The Brentford players’ statement read: “We have been taking a knee before games since June but, like many of our fellow players at other clubs, no longer believe that this is having an impact.
      “We believe we can use our time and energies to promote racial equality in other ways.

      “As a group we are fully behind and proud of Brentford’s desire to become the most inclusive club in the country and the drive towards equality under the #BeeTogether banner.
      “We have experienced racist abuse first hand and have also seen some appalling comments made to other players past and present.
      “There is a clear need to continue to push for an end to all discrimination and, as players, we will be part of that at Brentford FC, in football in general and in the wider community.
      “Racism is the opposite of what we stand for.

      “As players we will show our commitment to togetherness and racial equality on and off the pitch between now and the end of the season, and beyond.
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      The movement was started by American footballer Colin KaepernickCredit: AP:Associated Press

      What is ‘taking a knee’, and how did it start?

      Taking the knee began as a protest against the unfair treatment of black Americans.

      “We will also support our colleagues at other clubs that still want to take a knee before games.”
      Speaking last week, Zaha said: “The whole kneeling down? Why must I kneel down for you to show that we matter?
      “Why must I even wear Black Lives Matter on the back of my top to show you that we matter? This is all degrading stuff.”
      Football stars began taking a knee before the start of games following the coronavirus break.

      The action was seen as an act of solidarity with George Floyd, an unarmed black man whose death during an altercation with police shook the world.
      All 20 top flight clubs also wore a BLM badge on their shirts.
      The movement started during the American football pre-season in 2016 when the San Francisco 49ers’ black quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat instead of stood during the national anthem.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ivan Toney talks about how many goals he wants to score at Brentford More