Six Premier League players across five clubs chose to remain standing during the pre-match gesture as clubs took the knee for the first time this season, part of October's No Room for Racism campaign.
Manchester City defender Marc Guehi, speaking before his club's Champions League game, said he has not taken the knee for a while and instead always claps, because of what the gesture signifies. He said the issue is a wider societal one rather than a football issue, and that football is a beacon of hope for getting the message out. "More can always be done. I think we should see how we can move the campaign along," he said.
The Premier League says taking the knee is led by players and that it supports whatever stance they choose. Players began taking the knee in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. Since the 2022-23 season the gesture has been limited to selected matches, and captains agreed this season to take it during October's fixtures, which coincide with Black History Month in the UK. Leeds manager Daniel Farke said Dominic Calvert-Lewin shows his respect by standing up, adding that every individual shows respect in a different way.
Kick It Out said taking the knee still raises awareness of structural inequalities, while acknowledging players may become frustrated with the pace of change. Reports of discrimination and racism received by the charity more than doubled between 2021-22 and 2025-26, reaching record levels last season. England manager Sarina Wiegman said taking the knee was not enough after Jess Carter was racially abused online.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing