Palace’s Zaha becomes first Premier League player not to take the knee
Before today’s match against West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha became the first Premier League player to refuse to take a knee in support of the anti-racism movement.
Just before kick-off at Selhurst Park, Ivory Coast international Zaha stood tall while the rest of his Palace teammates and opponents kneeled.
When speaking at the Financial Times’ Business of Football summit last month.
The 28-year-old announced that he will no longer conduct a move that has been witnessed by Premier League clubs, administrators, and staff since June.
In a statement released today, Zaha said.
“My decision to stand at kick-off has been public knowledge for a couple of weeks now.”
“There is no right or wrong decision, but I believe kneeling has simply become a part of the pre-match routine.
And regardless of whether we kneel or stand, some of us are still subjected to violence.
Palace’s Zaha becomes first Premier League player not to take the knee
“I understand that the Premier League and other authorities are working tirelessly behind the scenes to affect progress, and I deeply support that initiative and everyone involved.
“I believe that, as a society, we should promote better education in classrooms.
And that social media firms, not just footballers, should take more action against people who harass others online.”
“What I want to do now is concentrate on football and enjoy being back on the field.” “I’m going to keep standing tall.”
Millwall, Derby, Bournemouth, and Brentford are among the Championship clubs who have stopped kneeling before games.
After the death in police custody of George Floyd in the United States last May.
Which prompted a surge in Black Lives Matter demonstrations, the gesture was introduced as a way to spread the anti-racism message.
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