MX23RW : Thursday, February 6 23:52:42| >> :120:6019:6019:

Derby will no longer take the knee before kickoff

Brentford announced last month they would stop the gesture because they felt it had lost its impact.

Derby have become the latest club to announce they will no longer take the knee ahead of kick-off, claiming it is "not enough" to battle discrimination.

Clubs across the country opted to kneel ahead of matches following Project Restart in the continued attempt to rid football of racism.

Brentford announced last month they would stop the gesture because they felt it had lost its impact.

Now Sky Bet Championship rivals Derby have followed suit, insisting their new approach does not alter their stance on battling discrimination.

"Derby County's players and staff have confirmed, unanimously, that they will no longer take a knee before matches," a statement read.

"This decision has been made after discussions as a group, including first-team players and senior staff members, in recent days.

"It has been decided, as a collective group, to no longer take a knee. This decision has been made because the symbolic gesture of taking a knee is not enough; more needs to be done and we are committed to playing an important role in this."

Brentford players decided last month to stop taking a knee ahead of kick-off.
Brentford players decided last month to stop taking a knee ahead of kick-off (John Walton/PA)

Rams forward Colin Kazim-Richards was recently targeted by racist online abuse following a 1-1 draw with local rivals Nottingham Forest.

Derby boss Wayne Rooney called those who posted the comments "cowards" and, with Kazim-Richards having already opted against taking the knee, the club has reinforced their position in stamping out discrimination.

"Derby County is proud to continue its work with many fantastic organisations and individuals, both nationally and in the local community, to strive for equality and diversity in not just football but society," the statement continued.

Watford v Derby County – Sky Bet Championship – Vicarage Road
Derby manager Wayne Rooney, pictured, spoke out about racist abuse aimed at striker Colin Kazim-Richards (Adam Davy/PA)

"We will support the fight against all forms of discrimination by delivering the unified message of standing together as one.

"No longer taking a knee does not change the club's stance on all forms of discrimination. It will not be tolerated at Derby County; this is categorically clear.

"The club will, wholeheartedly, support players and staff at other clubs that still want to take a knee before games involving Derby County. We are all in this together."

ID:438088: cacheID:438088:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:13243:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy pictured on February 16, 2021
Read Next:
Mick McCarthy will not have his "head in the clouds" amid Cardiff playoff push
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds31199362194366
2Burnley31161323792861
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd30196541212061
4Sunderland301610445261958
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn31136123531445
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom301014639271244
7Middlesbrough301281049391044
8Norwich CityNorwich30119104942742
9Bristol City30101283835342
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds30119104346-342
11Coventry CityCoventry31118124140141
12Watford30125134042-241
13Queens Park RangersQPR311011103540-541
14Millwall301010103027340
15Preston North EndPreston3081393338-537
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd31910123445-1137
17Swansea CitySwansea3097143242-1034
18Stoke CityStoke30711122837-932
19Cardiff CityCardiff30710133351-1831
20Portsmouth3079143652-1630
21Hull City3078153140-929
22Derby CountyDerby3076173241-927
23Luton TownLuton3076173049-1927
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth30510152963-3425


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!