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Thursday March 28, 2024

FA calls on fans to ‘respect wishes’ of players taking the knee

By Pa
June 14, 2021

LONDON: The Football Association has called on England fans to “respect the wishes” of the decision of the players to take the knee ahead of their matches at the European Championship.

The Three Lions opened their Group D campaign against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday, where 22,500 fans were anticipated to watch on from the stands.

England’s players have been taking the knee ahead of kick-off in recent months as a gesture against racism and inequality.

But the stance was jeered by a minority of fans in both of England’s Euro 2020 warm-up games at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium – the first occasions the knee had been taken with supporters in attendance.

England boss Gareth Southgate and prime minister Boris Johnson have both called on spectators not to jeer the knee as the squad insist they will continue to do so no matter what the reaction.

Now the FA has underlined its stance and asked those with plans to boo the gesture to “reflect” on the image it would project and distanced the move from any political movement.

It said: “As the team has reiterated many times, they will collectively take the knee ahead of their fixtures during the tournament. They are doing this as a mechanism of peacefully protesting against discrimination, injustice and inequality. This is personally important to the players and the values the team collectively represents.”

It added: “There can be no doubt as to why the players are taking the knee and what it represents in a footballing context. We encourage those that oppose this action to reflect on the message you are sending to the players you are supporting.

“Please respect their wishes and remember that we should all be united in the fight to tackle discrimination. Together. They will do their best for you. Please do your best for them.”