The EFL has reaffirmed its support for players and staff wanting to take the knee in protest against racism and inequality in 2021/22, and will be promoting a new matchday message which will see its clubs adopt a unified position on matchdays, reiterating that racism, discrimination and abuse are not welcome.

A statement released ahead of the start of the new season reads: “Ahead of the weekend’s opening round of League fixtures, the EFL is reaffirming its support to any player(s) and staff who wish to take the knee during the 2021/22 season.

“For over a year, players have made the personal choice to perform this simple act of protest against racism and inequality, helping shine a light on these issues in society and continue a conversation that has been heard across the world.

“The impact of football on and off the pitch is unquestionable. We know first-hand how it can change communities and societies for the better.

“And where players choose to take the knee to oppose discrimination, they have support from the League. Players have repeatedly said their protest is not about ideology or political affiliations and we ask that any player that wishes to express themselves in this way are respected.

“Tackling inequality can take many forms and while taking the knee is a powerful act, we equally support others who choose to challenge prejudice in other ways, and the EFL will work with players, Clubs and authorities to combat discrimination in the game.

“Throughout season 2021/22, the EFL will be promoting a new ‘Together Against Discrimination’ matchday message which will see clubs across all three divisions adopting a unified position on a matchday reiterating that racism, discrimination and abuse is not welcome in our game or in our communities.

“These commitments follow the completion of the most in-depth piece of independent research to date on of anti-discrimination activity on football matchdays.

“Commissioned by the EFL, the research consulted players, clubs, fans, the public, plus stakeholders in and out of the game, with greater support for the knee and unified efforts across the game favoured by respondents where possible.

“The Not Today or Any Day brand will continue as a visual presence through the 2021/22 EFL season. All anti-discrimination activity will take place under this brand including ‘Together Against Discrimination’ matchday messaging and other equality, diversity and inclusion campaigns to be activated throughout the season. New sleeve badges have been issued to be worn by players and officials’ kits for all matches.”

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch added: “The EFL takes the issue of tackling racism and discrimination, in all its forms, very seriously, but we must always strive to do more.

“That is why we commissioned an independent research on the issue of anti-discrimination on a matchday to help inform our approach.

“We have heard the message from players who wish to take the knee loud and clear, and they have the EFL’s support.

“Likewise, we support any individuals who take a stand against prejudice in other ways, and we must show respect and support to our clubs and players whichever way they choose.

“Both within the EFL and across the wider game we are committed to working collectively as we are stronger when we all work together against discrimination.

“The message is clear — prejudice and abuse — whether in the street, in the stadium or online has no place in society - and the EFL will not accept it.

“Football is a game with many opinions. But those who do not share our opinion on removing racism and discrimination from our game are not welcome.”

Photo: Contributed

istanblue added 20:20 - Aug 3 Toto won't be.
2

Tonytown added 21:21 - Aug 3 At least we know who the racists are!!
-2

MattinLondon added 22:17 - Aug 3 @TonyTown They are not racists, just people with very real concerns about supporting something anti-racist
3

Gcon added 22:57 - Aug 3 since when was racism a 'political' issue...
-1

Swansea_Blue added 22:57 - Aug 3 In fairness @Mattiondon, people against this message may not be racists. But if not they are certainly racism apologists at the very least. As mentioned earlier, the message and reasons for it has been made very clear haven't they, so there's no excuse to be against the EFL, the players and most fans on this.
1

Europablue added 23:12 - Aug 3 positivity These footballers are children who have focussed a lot of their energy on being elite athletes. They don't have a lot of political or historical understanding. Not one of them really understands that they are taking a symbol from the American context and just applying it here when we have a totally different history.
-1

Europablue added 23:14 - Aug 3 Monkey_Blue If taking a knee is so divisive (and it is) why don't they just change the symbolism or action?
-3

Europablue added 23:27 - Aug 3 Gcon Everything has been infected with politics. If Kick it out had their finger on the pulse, they could have made a non-partisan stand. There are a lot of virtue signallers calling people racist just because they don't agree with them. The reality is no-one on this forum is racially abusing people, yet one side is browbeating the other. We seem to have gone backwards on race in this country and this is a symptom. It's all about racial consciousness. We have to think about it constantly, and to people like me brought up trying to follow MLK's teachings of judging people bade on their character, this racialization is offensive. The whole narrative around the Euros was that we are so great because we are diverse, but that is absolutely irrelevant. We are only great when we just select the best players for the team regardless of race.

-2

bluesteel added 07:31 - Aug 4 so are we going to be subjected to taking the knee forever because a few multimillionaire premiership players are too sensitive and greedy to turn off their twitter accounts and social media can't be bothered to turn the racists off
-1

trueblue85 added 09:00 - Aug 4 EFL continuing to help to foster the very division which now POLITICAL movements like Black Lives Matter (in its most recent form) want to create and continue. The evidence and ignorance above is clear. Of course course we all stand against genuine racism, but when this gesture of “solidarity” which has played its part in so much overt hatred towards white people (from both its creators and followers), police and the armed forces I shall continue to exercise my right not to support it. That DOES NOT mean me or other are racist. That's a child's debate stoked up by dumb Marxists. Sadly, once again the message is “if you do not agree, you're a racist old biggot, get out..” Shame on you.

-2

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 11:42 - Aug 4 Very well said true blue. The arrogance and self righteousness of the woke is unbelievable.
1

Europablue added 12:53 - Aug 4 victorywilhappen It's absolutely ridiculous that you have a black and white view of you agree with me or you're a racist. Do you need people like me and Dozzells_Bobblehat to be racist to give you something to fight against? I think a lot of people on the website Those Were the Days were happier in the past when we had players like Dozzel and we were in the Premier League. Some things we should go back to, and other things like you mentioned, thankfully we moved on from. If being woke was about equality of all I don't think anyone would not want to be called woke. Maybe the answer to every question is not maybe he's racist. Woke came from the US as did taking the knee. The problem with progressive politics is that they never have a destination. Everyone was onboard when it was about equality, but now it has become about privileging the minority as some kind of payback. Tyranizing the majority doesn't ever end well, just look at South Africa. Calling people stupid and racist for supporting Brexit did a lot of good now didn't it? Maybe we should be listening to people's legitimate concerns like against the adoption of toxic symbols of oppression such as taking a knee?

-1

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 15:33 - Aug 4 Victory- I'm well aware of what it means thanks but no I don't see any irony at all. I also don't see the point of your post as you say those days have gone and my nickname has nothing to do with anything.
0

Eddie1985 added 06:44 - Aug 5 What are we actually taking the knee for?? To stop a few idiots trolling online?? Only the courts and websites themselves can stop that. Do we really live in a racist country??! I think not we have black people in top positions in society strict rules on employer prejudice, equal access to health care, education etc. Most of the trolling has occurred since the blm movement where lockdown was broken and some pll behaved applying....... Let's face it mostly everybody gets on Welland the system is fare to all races and religions, we are a tolerant country this is totally not needed and its not racist to think that its realistic

0

Eddie1985 added 17:19 - Aug 5 Well victory will happen, I can read and read it, these cases are exactly as I said from the minority on the fringes if society, there is a minority of Christians that bomb abortion clinics etc the minority.... Being the exception by definition proves the rule. I've played football with black and mixed lads coached kids who are black and stand by the notion that they are treated as equals to there white peers in British society

-1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls