England’s players have decided to resume taking the knee at the World Cup in Qatar, with manager Gareth Southgate saying the gesture will send a "strong statement" to the watching world.
The England team took the knee in 33 straight internationals after football returned following the Covid pandemic but did not do so ahead of the Nations League matches against Italy and Germany in September.
However, speaking ahead of Monday’s World Cup opener against Iran, Southgate said: “We have discussed taking the knee.
“It’s what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time.
“Of course we understand in the Premier League that the clubs have decided to only do that for certain games, big occasions.
“We feel this is the biggest and we think it’s a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important.”
However, speaking ahead of Monday’s World Cup opener against Iran, Southgate said: “We have discussed taking the knee.
“It’s what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time.
“Of course we understand in the Premier League that the clubs have decided to only do that for certain games, big occasions.
“We feel this is the biggest and we think it’s a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important.”