An Ivan Toney free kick goal is one of the big talking points from Brentford’s 3-2 victory vs. Nottingham Forest on Saturday after the Bees striker made his long-awaited return to the Premier League.
Toney returned from an eight month ban for betting offences and only needed 19 minutes to get on the score sheet. A closer look at the free kick shows that Toney moved the foam put down by the referee and the ball before taking the kick.
Was this cheating or was this clever?
Ivan Toney free kick goal controversy
BACK WITH A BANG.
Ivan Toney smashes home the free kick in his first game in more than eight months! pic.twitter.com/P9GUFRSJOt— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 20, 2024
Ivan Toney really got away with it. pic.twitter.com/9umCSrz6jL
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 20, 2024
Was Ivan Toney moving the ball just clever gamesmanship, or was it bending the rules?
Robbie Earle and @robbiemustoe debate at halftime of Brentford v. Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/uwBxc0wdTd— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 20, 2024
“Sometimes I think you have a yard either way and I just moved it a bit around the corner so I’m grateful it went in,” Toney said in an interview after the game.
Many fans are calling out Toney’s tactics for breaking the rules.
It’s worth mentioning that Lionel Messi did this same trick against FC Dallas in August. When the Argentine pulled off this stunt fans were calling him sneaky and a genius.
U.S. and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner initially checked his wall, but when he went back to the center of his goal Toney moved the ball a yard to his right.
The goal proved to be vital as Brentford came out on top of the five-goal affair.
This second half has been ELECTRIC.
We've seen three goals in ten minutes, with Brentford now holding a crucial lead as time ticks down.@nbc pic.twitter.com/HHwKkW09MO
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 20, 2024
Brentford’s first victory since Dec. 2 puts them 14th in the Premier League with 22 points. Nottingham Forest are in 16th with 20 points and sit just four points clear of the relegation zone.
