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Brentford Say Taking The Knee Is 'Not Having An Impact'

Brentford Say Taking The Knee Is 'Not Having An Impact'

Far too many racist incidents in football recently have perhaps shown that Brentford are right with their choice to stand.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Brentford players decided against taking the knee ahead of their game with Barnsley on Sunday, explaining they no longer believe it's having an impact.

In the wake of George Floyd's death in America last May, the Premier League and Football League decided players would take the knee, as part of the Black Lives Matter campaign, ahead of kick offs.

The gesture has continued since football's return in June, with the Premier League adopting the 'No Room for Racism' campaign.

On Sunday Championship side Brentford decided they wouldn't take the knee ahead of their game with Barnsley, or going forward.

In a club statement they explained why, saying, "We have been taking a knee before games since June but, like many of our fellow players at other clubs, no longer believe that this is having an impact.

"We believe we can use our time and energies to promote racial equality in other ways.

"As a group we are fully behind and proud of Brentford's desire to become the most inclusive club in the country and the drive towards equality under the #BeeTogether banner.

Brentford players stand whilst the Barnsley players take the knee. Image: PA Images
Brentford players stand whilst the Barnsley players take the knee. Image: PA Images

"We have experienced racist abuse first hand and have also seen some appalling comments made to other players past and present.

"There is a clear need to continue to push for an end to all discrimination and, as players, we will be part of that at Brentford FC, in football in general and in the wider community.

"Racism is the opposite of what we stand for.

"As players we will show our commitment to togetherness and racial equality on and off the pitch between now and the end of the season, and beyond.

"We will also support our colleagues at other clubs that still want to take a knee before games."

Fans haven't had much opportunity to react to players taking the knee but back in December Millwall fans sadly booed their own players taking the knee.

A few days later Millwall and QPR players were applauded as they stood arm in arm, with QPR the first team to not take the knee, with some players choosing to make the gesture after linking arms.

Despite games not having fans in the stadium there has still been a recent spate of racist incidents towards players, but on social media.

Manchester United's Anthony Martial was the latest player to fall victim to the horrendous abuse, following his side's draw with West Brom on Sunday.

Colin Kaepernick was the first sports star to take the knee, with the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback kneeling during the national anthem ahead of games, and receiving death threats for it.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Racism, Brentford, blm, Premier League, England, championship, Racism in football