Southgate: England players to decide over taking a knee before San Marino game
Gareth Southgate has said England’s leadership team will discuss whether or not the team takes a knee before Thursday’s game against San Marino.
Several club sides have abandoned the pre-match gesture of taking a knee as a display of unity against racism, which has been in place since football returned under Project Restart.
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings believes taking a knee still sends out a powerful message but Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha has stopped doing so, feeling it is “degrading”.
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“I’ve spoken with the leadership team about this and I’ve asked them to talk to the other players because I think it’s a good process for them to hear each other’s views,” Southgate told Sky Sports News.
“That’s part of how we educate ourselves in terms of these matters. The one thing we’re very clear on is that we will be unified in whatever we do and if there’s any doubt I think we will take the knee.
“I’m hugely respectful of everyone’s opinions on that, I think there is an impact to be had on it. I listened to Wilfred Zaha’s comments on it and totally understood his point of view that it [taking a knee] isn’t enough now.
“So, it’s complicated. The debate around taking the knee or walking off the pitch is peripheral really, the core problems are with racism and discrimination, they’re the discussions that need to happen.