Premier League Teams will stop "taking the knee" before every Match

The Premier League (the English football league) anounced on Wednesday that the gesture of "taking the knee" will be limited to certain matches in the season 2022/23. The gesture of "taking the knee" is a sign against racism. In a statement the Premier League said this:

"The players have decided to use specific moments during the upcoming campaign to take the knee, to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society." "The Premier League supports the players' decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League's No Room for Racism Action Plan." "Players will take the knee during the opening match round of the season, dedicated No Room for Racism match rounds in October and March, Boxing Day fixtures following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Premier League matches on the final day of the season and The FA Cup and EFL Cup Finals."

English Premier League

The player-led initiative had been in place before every single match since June 2020 to show solidarity, following the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd. The gesture had sparked criticism from UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who said the English team had been participating in "gesture politics", because they "took the knee" in EURO 2020.

The next English Premier League season, 2022/23, will kick off on August 5. with Arsenal versus Crystal Palace. The next season will be the Premier League's 30-year anniversary.