Football icon Ian Wright has publicly backed England's choice to discontinue the pre-match gesture of taking the knee, while simultaneously calling out the vile online abuse aimed at Lionesses defender Jess Carter.
The former Arsenal striker, now a respected pundit, voiced his support for the team's decision, emphasising that the symbolic act had served its purpose in raising awareness about racial inequality.
Online Abuse Targets Lionesses Star
The discussion comes amid disturbing reports of social media attacks directed at Chelsea's Jess Carter following England's recent matches. Wright didn't hold back in his criticism of the trolls, labelling the abuse as "disgusting" and completely unwarranted.
"These keyboard warriors think they can hide behind their screens and attack players who are representing their country with pride," Wright stated passionately during a recent broadcast.
Symbolic Gesture's Evolving Role
The taking the knee movement, originally adopted from American football player Colin Kaepernick's protest against racial injustice, became a regular feature in English football following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
However, the England women's team recently joined their male counterparts in phasing out the gesture, opting instead for other initiatives to promote equality and inclusion in the sport.
Wright's Powerful Message
The 60-year-old football legend stressed that while the visible protest might be ending, the fight against discrimination continues: "The work doesn't stop because we're not kneeling anymore. If anything, we need to double down on actual change rather than symbolic gestures."
Wright also praised Carter for her professionalism in dealing with the online hate, urging social media platforms to take stronger action against abusive users.
