Players of the English national team will kneel during the European Championship before the game, national coach Gareth Southgate said during the press conference in the run-up to the exhibition game with Romania on Sunday. Since the death of George Floyd, all players in England have kneeled on the pitch before the kick-off of every game as a statement against racial inequality and excessive police brutality. A statement by the Three Lions will be continued at the European Championship.
On Wednesday, the players of England and Austria (1-0) showed themselves in unison before the friendly meeting at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough by kneeling. The action was not welcomed by everyone in the stadium. “We feel more responsible than ever to bend our knees,” Southgate said at the press conference. “People who criticize do not understand the message. Those people should put themselves in the shoes of the players. How would they feel if their children were in the same situation?”
Southgate discussed the subject extensively during the press moment prior to the duel with Romania. He refused to take any notice of the critics and announced that he would continue the statement during the upcoming final tournament. He was therefore pleased that Wednesday’s negative reactions were quickly drowned out by cheers. “You don’t want to hear something like that, because it sounds like criticism towards our black players. Fortunately it didn’t last long, but we can’t deny that it happened. My players will not answer questions on this subject during the European Championship.”
The English coach made the decision in consultation with the player group. Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips said the players were “confused and disappointed” at Wednesday’s criticism. “All we could do was concentrate on the game,” said Philips. “We talked about it as a team and we came to the conclusion that no matter what happens around the field, we’re going to kneel. And I think that’s a great idea.” England will start the European Championship on June 13 with a home game against Croatia.
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