Wayne Lumbasi
Premier League captains will make a final decision on whether or not players will continue taking the knee ahead of Friday’s season opener between Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
Since the summer of 2020, English football has featured the anti-racism gesture, which was seen as a key emblem in the game’s campaign against racism. Wilfried Zaha, a forward for Crystal Palace, eventually stopped in February 2021, stating that “some of us still face abuse whether we stand or kneel at the moment.”
Around that time, several Championship teams, notably Derby, Brentford, Bournemouth, and Queens Park Rangers, also stopped kneeling. Many players believe the anti-racism message is no longer being effectively communicated by taking a knee.
The 20 Premier League captains met last Thursday to discuss the issue of whether or not to continue kneeling. However, despite hearing a wide range of opinions, no decision has been taken, therefore another meeting is scheduled for this week. Any decision made will be supported by the Premier League after clubs have been consulted.
