The Premier League has confirmed that players are to stop taking the knee before most games this season, with the gesture now being kept for high-profile fixtures, following discussions between the league and the captains of all 20 clubs.
There is a growing belief that the gesture’s impact has been weakened following two seasons of constant use. It was first introduced following the murder of George Floyd in the United States in May 2020.
And by reserving its use for big matches they hope that it will carry greater resonance in the fight for equality. Players will take the knee before this weekend's opening round of fixtures; the No Room for Racism matches in October and March; the Boxing Day fixtures; the final league matches of the season and the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals.
In a statement the captains said: “We have decided to select significant moments to take the knee during the season to highlight our unity against all forms of racism and in so doing we continue to show solidarity for a common cause. We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all.”
A small number of players, including Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, had already stopped last season because they felt it had lost meaning. The entire Brentford squad then joined their team-mate Toney in remaining upright.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson last season said that there was still a feeling at Anfield of the knee getting a strong message across - but across the league that belief has now shifted.
"Everybody's entitled to do what they will feel comfortable doing,' the midfielder told GQ magazine after Chelsea left back Marcos Alonso had decided to stand. "I know Marcos is against any form of racism, so we're all fighting for the same thing here and we all have the same message. But, for myself and the players at Liverpool, I think we are still in favour of it and that it is still having an impact."
Overall the gesture has been seen as a success and explains why it will continue on occasion. At the beginning a significant number of supporters across the country booed the players as they knelt but there was a notable change in reaction during last summer’s European Championship.
Some senior members of government, including home secretary Priti Patel, had justified the jeers based on freedom of speech while referring to the knee as "gesture politics". But she then changed tune after the Euros final, when several England stars were racially abused.
That led to Aston Villa centre back Tyrone Mings calling Patel out on social media. "You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens."
