Premier League players are set to continue the anti-racism gesture of taking the knee twice per season, according to reports. This decision follows discussions among club captains.
The gesture, which began in the UK in response to the death of George Floyd and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, was previously a pre-match ritual before every game. However, in August 2022, following consultations with players, clubs agreed to limit the action.
Last season, the players took the knee during "No Room for Racism" rounds of fixtures, which coincided with Black History Month in the UK in October. It is anticipated that the gesture will again be performed twice in the upcoming season.
The effectiveness of the gesture has been a subject of debate. In contrast to the Premier League's approach, most Women's Super League (WSL) teams opted not to take the knee during matches in Black History Month last season. This decision by WSL sides was reportedly influenced by a view that the gesture had lost its impact amidst a rise in racist incidents.