Marc Guehi Questions 'Lost Meaning' of Taking the Knee

Manchester City and England defender Marc Guehi has expressed doubts about the continued effectiveness of the 'taking the knee' gesture, suggesting it may have "lost its meaning." Guehi was among several Premier League players who opted to remain standing before matches over the weekend, coinciding with the league's 'No Room for Racism' campaign.

Joining Guehi in standing were Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rayan, Tyler Adams, and Issa Diop. The gesture, which began in the UK in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, has been a focal point in combating racial discrimination within football.

When questioned about his decision, Guehi stated, "I'm not sure to be honest. The campaign's still there, which is great. The message is still there, which is great. Whether more can be done? More can always be done." He elaborated that the issue extends beyond football, describing it as a "wider societal issue" where football acts as a "beacon of hope" to disseminate the message.

Guehi admitted he had not been taking the knee for some time, opting instead to clap, which he felt signified the gesture's core meaning. "I hope we can do a bit more but we'll just see. Hopefully the message is getting out there which is the most important thing," he added.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke also commented on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's choice to stand, explaining that the striker "shows his respect by standing up." Farke emphasized that "every individual is different and shows respect for this campaign in a different way," highlighting the diversity within team dressing rooms as a model for societal harmony.

However, the gesture has not been universally accepted. Some sections of the crowd at Elland Road were heard booing as players took the knee before Leeds' match against Manchester United. This follows similar instances where players like Wilfried Zaha and Marcos Alonso have previously voiced objections or chosen alternative ways to express their commitment to anti-racism.

Historically, the Premier League's policy on taking the knee has evolved. Initially performed before every match, the gesture was later limited to specific 'No Room For Racism' match rounds. Ahead of the 2022-23 season, Premier League captains agreed to perform the gesture twice per season. Players and staff have the opportunity to participate in the pre-match gesture during the current two gameweeks in October, with the league reaffirming its commitment to tackling discrimination and promoting diversity in football.