Gareth Southgate will hold urgent talks with his England players over whether to continue with the taking of the knee gesture for the Euros.
England boss Southgate confirmed he will consult with the whole squad after the remaining players from Chelsea and Manchester City report up on Saturday.
It comes after the anti-racism gesture was booed by a section of fans at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium for England’s friendly with Austria on Wednesday night.
They will look to make a decision before Sunday’s final friendly before the tournament against Romania but also decide on their policy for the tournament.
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
It is understood some players still want to continue with the gesture despite the backlash and then review it again in the summer, effectively when the season ends.
But whether that is the majority view remains to be seen but Southgate will leave the decision with the players as he will talk to them and the players’ leadership group will also discuss the issue.
Southgate said: “What happened probably means I need to have another conversation with the players first and foremost because I need see how they feel about it and that’s an important discussion for us to have.
“I know there was some concern in the past in March that we were losing some of the impact so I think after what has happened we need to consider whether we continue to do the same thing, whether we do something different and I’m sure the players will have a really good view on that.”
Several players – including Wilfried Zaha – have insisted the taking of the knee has lost its impact while there has also been wide booing at Premier League games since fans have been allowed back in.
There was also widespread jeers at the FA Cup final when they took the knee before Leicester ’s win over Chelsea and the fear is that it will only get worse in the Euros.
How will England fare at the Euros? Have your say below.
