The gesture has stood as one of the most prominent symbols of antiracism in sports since Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists at the 1968 Olympics.
In football, the act of taking the knee became widespread in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a practice that gained prominence after Colin Kaepernick and his teammate Eric Reid knelt during a 2016 American football game.
However, as discussions arose in 2025 about its impact, critics of the gesture may have achieved their goal. After defender Jess Carter shared experiences of racist abuse online, England’s women’s team announced they would no longer take the knee before their match against Italy, stating that football must “find new approaches to combat racism.” Teammates and supporters expressed solidarity with Carter.
At the same time, the Premier League is reportedly considering discussions with club captains about whether to continue the gesture next season.
Piara Powar, leader of the international anti-discrimination group Fare, maintains that taking the knee remains a “significant antiracist statement.”
Yet, in a recent radio interview, UK foreign secretary David Lammy suggested the time for kneeling “may have run its course.”
In Lambeth, a historically significant area for Black communities in London, organizer Ros Griffiths argues the gesture has lost its meaning due to continuing racial disparities and the absence of “a broad national dialogue” on British identity in a diverse society.
Griffiths notes that Black athletes in the UK often feel included when successful but marginalized when not.
She said: “Taking the knee is similar to applauding healthcare workers—it’s purely symbolic. What matters is a real commitment to ending systemic racism.”
“In my view, things have worsened since George Floyd. Consider the unrest last year. Think about Diane Abbott facing suspension simply for speaking from personal experience with racism. Is this where we are in 2025?”
“This nation has gained from diversity but still doesn’t fully accept it. What does it mean to be British? We’ve avoided this discussion, and it must begin with education—ensuring people recognize the value and principles of inclusion, not division. We’re done with empty gestures.”
The latest report from anti-discrimination group Kick It Out revealed racism was the most reported issue in the 23/24 season, with a “sharp 47% increase in racist incidents across all levels of the game.” Reports of online racism nearly tripled.
Some Black figures in sports have also questioned the gesture. In 2020, coach and analyst Les Ferdinand stated, “Taking the knee was once powerful… but the message has faded.”
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