Premier League teams will limit anti-racism gestures at certain games

The Premier League said on Tuesday that Premier League teams will limit the anti-racist gesture of kneeling on the pitch to a few key games in the new season.

Premier League clubs adopted the Black Lives Matter cause in 2020 following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, USA, in May of that year.

Premier League clubs used the Black Lives Matter logo on their shirts before replacing it with No Room for Racism.

The debate over whether players should continue to kneel before games has divided the sport, with some analysts saying the gesture, first performed by football player Colin Kaepernick in 2016, has lost its importance.

Premier League club captains reiterated their commitment to combating racism and all forms of discrimination, but said players had decided to take advantage of a specific moment to take the knee in the upcoming campaign, which begins on Friday.

In a statement, the Premier League captain said: “We have decided to take a knee at key moments throughout the season to highlight our solidarity against racism in all its forms and, in doing so, continue to show solidarity for a common cause.”

“We remain resolutely committed to eradicating racial prejudice and creating an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all.”

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