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Tell the truth, have you noticed that English players haven’t gotten to their knees lately? I do not think so.
Gareth Southgate’s players have made the symbolic gesture since their match against Iceland in September 2020, but suddenly stopped last month for the UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Germany.
But no one clocked, no questions asked. That’s partly my fault, I noticed, but I didn’t ask why they had stopped.
England’s players are currently undecided on taking the knee in Qatar next month
England have not won in six games and had gone more than 500 minutes without scoring before their thrilling comeback against Germany at Wembley last Monday night.
As ridiculous as it sounds, football was more newsworthy. However, the fact that it was allowed to pass without even a ripple is inappropriate.
But this was always the danger when Premier League players decided to drastically limit the number of times they had to kneel, a gesture that had become a staple of English football for two years ahead of the season.
Out of sight out of mind. This is not intended as a criticism of the players. Their job is to play football, it is normal for the sport to take precedence.
It’s up to them whether they choose to go for something more.
The leadership group, which includes Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, decided to follow Premier League guidelines in taking the knee
But it was easy for England’s players to decide not to take the knee in September because they are used to it.
It is important to emphasize that the issue was not overlooked by the England squad last month.
Sportsmail has been informed that the matter has been discussed by the England leadership group – a party that includes Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling.
Those seniors have decided that they should follow Premier League guidelines on this occasion.
That’s fair enough, that’s their decision. But given that they had been on their knees for the past 35 games, it’s also reasonable to expect some form of communication as to why they didn’t make the gesture this time around.
Players came out publicly ahead of Euro 2020 to emphasize why they planned to continue on the knee during what was essentially a home tournament, despite fierce criticism from England supporters who believed the salute was a political message in line with the controversial Black Lives Matter movement.
England did not kneel against Italy or Germany in the Nations League last month
Of course it wasn’t. It was just a strong show of support for equality, there’s nothing political about it.
Ironically, many in football have long suspected that the decision to stop taking the knee before every game was influenced by the government, which was well aware of the power and effect of football on segments of the population. .
England players deserve credit; they resisted disgusting racial abuse while doing international service in less progressive areas of Europe.
But if the English players have decided to stop taking the knee, the reasons why must also be expressed through public channels.
That said, it is clear that taking the knee at the World Cup remains a consideration for English players.
There is in fact great support from the football association and the England camp that the team must make the gesture during the tournament.
Certain numbers still expect it to happen. There is an acknowledgment that in Qatar, a country under fire for its stance on human rights and homosexuality, the gesture would have even more impact.
The lionesses have continued to take the knee to support the movement before the competitions
That is ultimately up to the players to decide. And that’s a good thing – it should be a democratic decision.
While the English players have stopped taking the knee for the time being, the women’s team continues to do so.
That too is their democratic choice. Although you may wonder why there is no alignment between England’s two senior teams.
Premier League footballers will kneel again this weekend as part of the two-week No Room For Racism campaign.
Perhaps that will bring the matter back into the public domain, if only for a moment.
But if we look at the past three months, we will all forget it again when No Room For Racism is over.
It is to be hoped that an England team that has given us so much to be proud of during the Southgate era, Qatar will not be so forgetful.