Kick it Out: Why Taking the Knee Was Never Right for Football

Taking the Knee: Why a Gesture Divided the Game

The image of footballers taking the knee became one of the most contentious sights in modern sport. For many, it was a stand against racism. For others, it was a source of frustration and division. It’s crucial to understand that many who rejected the gesture were not against the broader cause, but because the act itself became tied to a specific, radical political movement.

The Origins of the Gesture

The act of “taking the knee” originates from a form of protest popularised by American football player Colin Kaepernick in 2016. His protest was a distinctly American response to an American issue. Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, the gesture was adopted globally, amplifying its visibility on pitches and in stadiums worldwide.

A Principle, Not Just a Protest

For a significant portion of fans, the issue was never about the fight against racism, but about the nature of the gesture and its implications for the sport itself.

My main objection to the kneeling gesture was always about the creeping of cultural and political issues into the game of football. There are countless other platforms and media outlets for these issues to be discussed. While I may have my own private reservations about the figures and events being highlighted, I will not voice them in this post. My concern was that the FA embracing a specifically American protest created division, when we already had our own established ‘Kick It Out’ campaign that was doing a fine job. 

This sentiment was widespread. Many wondered when an act of subservience became mandatory to avoid being labelled a bigot. Furthermore, you have to question the authenticity when it feels obligatory. How many footballers felt pressured to participate in this gesture against their own will, lacking the courage to stand apart from the crowd? For me, this is one of many reasons why I wouldn’t take moral lessons from any single footballer, and I believe the game itself should be the focus.

A Question of Consistency

The Football Association’s handling of the matter further sowed distrust. Their wholehearted endorsement of kneeling for one cause raised questions about their consistency. Many found it shameful that the same organisation had no issue with aligning the sport with one highly publicised figure, yet would not act with the same visibility to remember victims of other atrocities. This selective application of solidarity felt to me like picking political sides rather than upholding positive values.

Ultimately, the gesture became a pointless and empty ritual for many supporters. It injected division where unity was needed and politicised the game from where I like to escape. I can only hope that in the near future, the sport will cut out this performative act and return its focus to what happens on the pitch. UTV

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