Several Premier League players stayed standing as others took the knee for the No Room for Racism campaign this weekend. Should football retire the gesture?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Issa Diop and Marc Guéhi stood before their matches on 17-18 October. Leeds manager Daniel Farke said Calvert-Lewin shows respect by standing up; the other three have yet to give their reasons. The gesture began in 2020 after George Floyd's murder.
What happened
Before Premier League matches on 17 and 18 October, players took the knee for the league's No Room for Racism campaign, which aligns with Black History Month. Everton's Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ipswich's Issa Diop and Marc Guéhi stayed standing on Saturday, and Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin did so before Sunday's draw with Manchester United. The gesture began in 2020 after George Floyd's murder, and Wilfried Zaha became the first player to opt out in 2021. The league has also sent anti-racism reading materials to more than 19,000 primary schools in England and Wales.
Why people disagree
Supporters say a collective gesture seen by millions is still a clear statement that racism has no place in football, and players who stand can still back the campaign, as Farke argued. Critics, including some Black players, say it has become empty: Zaha called it "degrading" in 2021, and England's Alex Greenwood said it may have "lost its power". They argue education and action on abuse matter more.
What's still unclear
Maitland-Niles, Diop and Guéhi have not explained their reasons, so their motives are unknown. It is also unclear whether the league or club captains will review the gesture after this season's campaign.
Sources
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