Club leaders met last week to discuss whether to continue with the gesture introduced in 2020 during Project Restart in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, which rose to prominence after the death of George Floyd in the United States. There were mixed opinions at the meeting, with some captains speaking on behalf of teammates, fearing the gesture had lost its power or even become divisive. Some fans have chosen to believe it has political overtones, even though it’s been made clear to everyone that its purpose is to highlight the need for greater equality and inclusion. Chiefs failed to reach a consensus last week but have now, with clubs kneeling before certain matches in the hope of reinforcing the message that racism and any form of discrimination have no place in football or society. The hope is that when the knee is taken, it will have a bigger impact. The league said the gesture would be performed during the first and last rounds of matches, the exclusive No Room for Racism round in October and March, Boxing Day matches and the Carabao and FA Cup finals. The Premier League chiefs said: “We have decided to choose important moments to kneel during the season to show our unity against all forms of racism and in this way we continue to show solidarity for a common cause. We remain resolutely committed to eliminating racial prejudice and creating an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all.”
