Premier League teams have decided to stop taking the knee. Rather, they decided to continue the practice before significant matches. The matches which still feature the gestures are the Carabao Cup finals and specific No Room for racism contests. Crystal Palace manager, Patrick Vieira, fiercely supports the cause. Also, many fear the dilution of the gesture. Colin Kaepernick performed the gesture for the first time in August 2016. He took the knee instead of standing during the national anthem.

The NFL quarterback took the knee to protest against racial injustice and police brutality prevalent in the country. Since then, many athletes adopted the gesture to show their respect and to show that they stand with the cause. However, whether players should take a knee before a sport has diverse opinions.

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The significance of the gesture started by Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick went from becoming a football star to a civil rights icon in just a matter of time. Millions of people watched him protesting when he sat on a bench before San Francisco 49ers took on the Green Bay Packers. However, he took a knee to be more respectful.

“We can’t stop straight away because there are statements to make,” Patrick Vieira said told reporters before his team’s season opening fixture against Arsenal.

There is a long history of sports figures protesting in various manners. This is one of the gestures which was recognized by the whole world. And Vieira is passionate about continuing this gesture so that it reaches the maximum number of people.

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