England’s footballers will “take the knee” during the Euro 2020 tournament – despite fears the team will be booed and jeered.
It’s thought the catcalls come from supporters who believe there is a political connection between the gesture and the controversial Black Lives Matter movement.
However, manager Gareth Southgate and his squad think the act is symbolic in fighting inequality.
Southgate said:
“We’re totally committed to supporting each other, supporting the team, and we feel more than ever that we are determined to take the knee throughout this tournament.
“The players are sick of talking about the consequences of ‘should they, shouldn’t they’.
“They’ve had enough.
“I think those people should put themselves in the shoes of those young players and how they must feel.
“We accept that there might be an adverse reaction but we’re going to ignore that and move forward.
“People are booing their own team.
“I don’t really understand that.
“If you don’t agree with the situation then you don’t have to applaud or do anything.
“To boo your own team is a very strange response in my mind.
“There’s an acceptance that this gesture is waning in its impact because we’ve been going for a season.
“But ahead of the European Championship, where the games are being shown around the world, that moment just before kick-off will have a significant impact.
“If it happens in future matches, we won’t be discussing it afterwards because that only gives oxygen to these people.”
