England and Wales players take a knee in World Cup match
A number of England and Wales players took a knee during a World Cup match last night, with most of them protesting against racism.
The decision to take a knee was taken by the players’ union, with the vast majority of players participating. England were trailing the Italians 2-1 at half-time, and then went on to win 3-2, making it the most dramatic World Cup win to date.
The protest was the first time the FA had taken such a controversial decision, and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the final, a spokesman for the FA said: “We would never want to restrict our players from expressing their views or actions. If any player chooses not to take a knee we want to make their views clear.
“A lot has been written about the decision not to take a knee, and whether this decision by the players’ union to take a knee is right or wrong.
“As I said before the match, the players and representatives around the world have made it their duty to stand up, and the players and representatives have done so and we will continue to stand up as well.
“There will be a lot more things written about this decision for a long time to come, but the players, the FA and those who stand up and fight for what we believe in will continue to speak out to ensure that our views are heard.
“We are proud to be champions of sport, and we stand up for our players and our sport.”
England captain Steven Gerrard said: “The players are entitled to do this, because some people have questioned the right of other players to take a knee.
“We are entitled to have our views represented and represented in a positive way. People can’t be offended by others and people can’t be offended by this, we’ve just got to keep going.
“I don’t believe we should have taken a knee, because the last thing we want to be is a symbol of what’s happened in this country.
