Gravina: ‘Italy players not forced to take a knee

Although the Italian FA is ‘against any form of discrimination,’ Italian players are ‘not forced to take a knee,’ says FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.

Five Italy players showed support to the Black Lives Matter movement taking a knee before the kick-off of yesterday’s Euro 2020 game against Wales.

Gravina explained the FIGC position in an interview with Sky Sport Italia: “FIGC are against any form of racism, but the players are free to behave following their conscience,” he said.

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“It is not an argument for which we can establish a common line at a federal level.

“Before the game, we talked about it with the team because we knew that all the Welsh would have taken the knee and we agreed that everyone would be free to follow their instincts and their feelings.

“It will be the same for the remainder of the competition. We do not force anyone, it would not be right”.