Premier League Players Agree To Kneel Before Some Games

Premier League players have agreed to continue to kneel before some games during the 2023-2024 season.

The practice of players taking a knee before a Premier League game started in 2020 following the murder of an African-American man named George Floyd in May 2020.

The video of the murder was extensively shared online and it incited indignation that led to protests against racial discrimination both inside and outside of the United States under the theme: Black Lives Matter.

Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty of killing Floyd in December 2021 and was given a sentence of more than 22 years in jail.

In solidarity with the murder and the fight for equality, the Premier League players and officials took a knee before games. But the practice was watered down in subsequent seasons.

In the 2023-2024 season, the Premier League players agreed to take a knee before the kick-off of some specific games.

In games with a No Room For Racism theme in October and April, as well as Boxing Day games, the league players are expected to take a knee before kick-off.

A joint statement from all the Premier League players read in parts, “We are united in our conviction that discrimination has no place in football or wider society.

“We are committed to using our platform to help celebrate diversity and show our support in the fight against racism.

“Therefore, we will continue to show solidarity by taking the knee at significant moments during the forthcoming season. Diversity is central to the success of the game and we feel strongly that people should respect others, regardless of their ethnicity or background.”

On Friday, August 11, the 2023-2024 Premier League season will commence with a game between the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, and newly promoted side Burnley at Turf Moor. The game will kick off at 20:00 (8 PM WAT).