The Premier League is considering whether to stop taking the knee before matches, following the England Lionesses' decision to end the practice during the European Championship. The league plans to consult with club captains before the new season and will make a decision based on their feedback.
The gesture, introduced in June 2020 after the murder of George Floyd in the US, has been a feature of Premier League games for five years. However, it was scaled back last season, occurring only before the first and last league games and during dedicated No Room For Racism fixtures.
Anti-racism groups are divided on the issue. Kick It Out backed the Lionesses' decision after racist abuse directed at Jess Carter, while international group Fare argues the knee remains a powerful symbol, especially in the Premier League where over a third of players are black. The Professional Footballers' Association is also understood to support the players.
England's men's and women's teams, as well as EFL clubs, initially adopted the practice but most have since dropped it. The Premier League's consultation will determine whether they follow suit.
