Gareth Southgate confirms England players will continue to take a knee at Euro 2020 games
Gareth Southgate says England will continue to take a knee throughout Euro 2020, despite accepting that the move could cause an “adverse reaction” from supporters. England were booed by a section of their own fans after kneeling before kick-off in a friendly against Austria at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Wednesday.
Players taking a knee before the whistle has become a common sight over the past year, with sport trying to present a united front against all forms of discrimination.
The stance, which is in support of the Black Lives Matter movement but is separate to the political organisation of the same name, has prompted much debate around the sporting world.
Boos were largely drowned out by applause from the 7,000 fans in attendance on Wednesday, but Southgate revealed that the negative response prompted the England squad to hold a meeting over what to do at Euro 2020.
Jack Grealish said the booing was something “we don’t want in football”, while fellow midfielder Kalvin Phillips said he was “confused and disappointed” by the fans’ behaviour.
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