Premier League players have agreed to stop taking the knee before every game in the upcoming 2022/23 season.
The gesture has been discussed by all clubs and Premier League captains together over the past couple of weeks. A handful of players including Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha had already stopped taking the knee, whilst Brentford have not done so for months.
Some players believe the gesture no longer has the required impact that it has set out to achieve. The gesture of taking the knee has split opinions across the country, and now looks set to only be used at specific matches to show support for the 'No Room For Racism' campaign.
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There have been numerous accounts of racial abuse from spectators towards players in recent years, with former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger having previously claimed he was subjected to racial abuse from a spectator during a fixture against Spurs two seasons ago, though an investigation into the matter found no evidence to support this. It's not just in the stadiums where players are subjected to abuse, with users on social media also aiming disgusting slurs at Premier League stars.
Premier League players are set to stop taking the knee prior to matches for the 2022/23 season after lengthy discussions between clubs and captains. Players will continue to make equal rights protests before some high-profile fixtures, including cup finals and on Boxing Day.
The Premier League have confirmed the decision in an announcement before the opening game of the season between Arsenal and Palace on Friday. "The Premier League supports the players' decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League's No Room for Racism Action Plan."
Premier League players are said to believe that using the gesture only for selected matches will have a far greater impact over the coming season rather than before every game and do not want to stop the gesture outright as to not give into criticism received by some groups, including Home Secretary Priti Patel. The Premier League captains said in a statement: "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."
Patel and Jacob Rees-Mogg MP previously claimed that football fans have a right to boo players taking the knee on the grounds that it gave support to the Black Lives Matter organisation. Despite the players publicly admitting this is not the case, a change is set to come for the upcoming campaign after players and staff at Premier League clubs began taking the knee prior to kick-off in games in June 2020.
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