The gesture has been seen at Premier League matches ever since the killing of George Floyd in America last year and will continue into the 2021-22 campaign
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Protesters take the knee at the Marcus Rashford mural in Manchester
The Premier League have announced that players will continue to take the knee ahead of matches in the 2021-22 season to highlight their opposition to racism.
The gesture was first used towards the end of the 2019-20 campaign following the death of George Floyd in the USA, and remained last season.
And on Tuesday the Premier League released a statement confirming that they will carry on supporting players who wish to take the knee.
They will also continue to wear a No Room for Racism sleeve badge on their shirts.
A joint statement from the players read: “We feel now, more than ever, it is important for us to continue to take the knee as a symbol of our unity against all forms of racism.
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Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“We remain resolutely committed to our singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect and equal opportunities for all.”
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters added: “The Premier League, our clubs, players and match officials have a long-standing commitment to tackle racism and all forms of discrimination.
“Following our club captains’ meeting, that collective commitment was reaffirmed and the Premier League will continue to support the players’ strong voice on this important issue.
“Racism in any form is unacceptable and No Room For Racism makes our zero-tolerance stance clear. The Premier League will continue to work with our clubs, players and football partners to bring about tangible change to remove inequality from our game.”
Taking the knee will not be an obligation, with the likes of Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and the Brentford team having already decided to stop participating in the gesture.
Recently, Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings hit back after home secretary Priti Patel refused to criticise supporters who booed the taking of the knee.
He said: “To the home secretary – I don’t really have a direct message.
“We spoke and she invited me onto a Zoom call once, where she seemed so interested and engrossed in players’ kind of point of view and what we could do more to tackle these sort of issues.
“But at the same time, everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. The home secretary is one of many, many people that oppose us taking the knee, or refuse to defend it.
“We’ve spoken about it a lot, we’ve spoken about trying to educate or trying to inform the minority who refuse to acknowledge why we’re taking the knee and want to boo it.
“But at the same time, in Wembley (at the Euros) there was a hugely positive reaction to us taking the knee as well and I don’t think that should be overshadowed by a minority that refuse to accept what the reasons are or don’t agree with them.”
