By Tim Parsons-
Footballers will no longer take the knee before every Premier League game this season, it has been announced.
Instead, the captains of the league’s 20 clubs have agreed to use specific moments during the campaign to take the knee “to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society”.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the 20 club captains last Thursday, after concerns raised that the gesture was losing its substance if it were to become a permanent feature of football. The skippers talked over plans for how to proceed ahead of the new season which starts this Friday when Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace
In a statement, the league said: “The Premier League supports the players’ decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League’s No Room for Racism Action Plan.”
Players will still take the knee during this weekend’s opening games of the season, at dedicated No Room for Racism matches in October and March, Boxing Day fixtures after the World Cup has finished, the last day of the season and the FA and EFL cup finals.
Ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started kneeling to protest against racial injustice in 2016, and the gesture has become a familiar sight across a range of sports since Floyd’s murder by a US police officer.
The taking of the knee has been controversial with members of the public, with many hard core football fans feeling it ruins the game, and that the uproar about racism through sport in that manner is not appropriate.
Some analysts say the taking of the knee psychologically raises more awareness, but does not necessarily have any power to solve any real issues of racism in society.
Members of the public spoken to have been divided in their take of taking the knee. Some say it is unhelpful because most brits are decent citizens and not racist, the racist amongst the population in society being a small percentage of the whole.
Peter Andrews from Leyton told The Eye Of Media.Com: ”I think the taking of the knee just ruins football, everybody knows racism is bad, and it is only a minority of people in the Uk who are actually racist. Most people know that we all bleed the same. Racist football hooligans do not represent the British people as a whole”.
Thomas Anderton from Newbury Park said ”I think taking the knee has some important value in sending a message to society that racism of the kind often seen in football is not acceptable. It registers in people’s psyche, but it should not be overdone. There is no doubt racism in society still exists, but it is not as bad in many other societies. The British are generally welcoming and treat people of other cultures well. Racist football hooligans
The Premier League captains said in a statement: “We have decided to select significant moments to take the knee during the season to highlight our unity against all forms of racism and in so doing we continue to show solidarity for a common cause.
“We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all.”
Players and staff at Premier League clubs began taking the knee prior to kick-off in games in June 2020 to show their support for the movement for racial equality.
The decision was supported by the Premier League, with players and match officials wearing ‘No Room For Racism’ badges on their shirts.
Maheta Molango, PFA chief executive, said: “We’ve always been clear that choosing whether to take the knee should be a personal decision for each individual.
“We’ve spoken to players about this and what we’ve heard is that they want to find a balance. They don’t want the gesture of taking the knee to become routine, so that it potentially loses its impact.
“However, they are also committed to using their platform and their voice to continue to bring attention to what remains an extremely important issue, not just in England but around the world.”
The clubs began making the gesture in support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd in the US in May 2020.
It was inspired by NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who took the knee during the US national anthem in protest against racism.
A total of £238,000 will be donated to youth clubs on behalf of the club captains, after £119,000 was raised from the royalties of the badges sold on club shirts last season, with the Premier League matching the amount.