For the first time this season, Premier League sides knelt during October’s No Room for Racism matches.
Yet six players from five teams stayed on their feet before kickoff:
Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)
Rayan (Bournemouth)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds)
Issa Diop (Ipswich)
Marc Guehi (Manchester City)
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Everton)
Ahead of City’s Champions League tie on Tuesday, Guehi fielded a query on the gesture’s relevance.
“I stopped kneeling some time ago. I still clap because of what it truly represents,” the England defender explained.
“It isn’t just a football matter; it reflects a broader societal concern, and the sport serves as a beacon to spread the message,” he said.
“The message remains powerful—great news—but there’s room for more. We must find ways to advance the campaign,” he added.
The league says the choice is player‑led and it backs any stance. In my view, that respect is essential.
Why do Premier League clubs continue the knee?
How did the campaign start?
Players first knelt in 2020 after George Floyd’s death sparked global Black Lives Matter protests.
Captains limited the initiative to chosen fixtures before the 2022‑23 season.
This year, captains consented to kneel in October’s No Room for Racism games, aligning with the UK’s Black History Month.
The remaining five abstainers stayed silent, though Leeds boss Daniel Farke clarified Calvert‑Lewin’s reasoning.
“Dom basically says, ‘I won’t kneel; I stand to show respect.’ Each player expresses support uniquely,” Farke noted.
“It’s a worthwhile campaign. Sport, especially football, can model how we coexist in a shared space,” he added.
Wilfried Zaha, ex‑Crystal Palace winger, was the first Premier League player to quit kneeling in 2021.
“Kneeling now feels like a routine gesture; whether we kneel or stand, abuse still follows some of us,” he remarked then.
Has it made an impact?
When unveiling the month’s drive,, external the league declared: “Players will kneel before the next two rounds to demonstrate unity against discrimination.”
“We recognise why players may feel frustrated by the slow progress,” the statement continued.
From 2021‑22 to 2025‑26, the charity logged over double the discrimination and racism complaints, hitting a record last season.
Prominent incidents have underscored the persistent abuse targeting footballers.
Following online racist attacks on defender Jess Carter during last summer’s Women’s Euros, the Lionesses halted the knee.
“Kneeling alone isn’t sufficient. We’ve done it for ages, yet the impact falls short of expectations,” England boss Sarina Wiegman said then.
In February, Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri, Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana, Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland’s Romaine Mundle all endured racist social‑media abuse within one weekend.
Yet a 2025 YouGov poll, external showed most ethnic‑minority fans still view the knee as vital against racism, even if the broader English fanbase is less convinced.
No Room for Racism reaches further than the kneeling gesture.
“We harness players’ platforms to broadcast a clear message: united against racism,” Premier League chief Richard Masters stated.
Athletes have contributed to diversity education tools now used by over 19,000 primary schools in England and Wales.
“Young fans need role models who reflect them, proving any ambition is possible. Identity shouldn’t limit achievement,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk explained.
“Representing my community both on and off the field matters deeply to me,” he added.