CHEERS have drowned out boos tonight as players took the knee ahead of the England versus Scotland football match.
Footballers on both teams took the knee to show support for racial equality after hours of fun-filled partying on the streets of London as Brits battle it out against each other at the critical Euros clash.
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England players have continued to take the knee during Euro 2020, as they have been since the murder of George Floyd last year.
The team have stated that they believe the gesture is not a political one and designed simply to show support for racial equality.
Gareth Southgate previously said: “I think we have got a situation where some people seem to think it is a political stand that they don’t agree with.
“That is not the reason the players are doing it. We are supporting each other.”
Scotland stars originally said that would NOT be taking a knee prior to their Euro 2020 matches.
The Scottish FA have confirmed they will continue to promote an anti-racist message by standing before matches.
But just a day later, they confirmed that they WILL in their match against England.
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson said: “It is important we continue to tackle the issue of racism and raise awareness of the need to change people’s mindsets but also their behaviours.
“Prior to our World Cup qualifiers in March we spoke as a group and felt that taking a stand was the best way for us to show solidarity and also to reinforce the need for meaningful change in society.”
The knee in English football was adopted after the murder of George Floyd by white police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020.
At the time, the Premier League and its clubs explicitly did support Black Lives Matter, with the organisation’s logo sewn onto every player’s shirt.
However, after a statue of Winston Churchill was vandalised by BLM protesters in London and the BLM UK Twitter account criticised the state of Israel, the Premier League moved to distance itself from the cause.
When the 2020/21 season started, English football clubs agreed that rather than kneeling in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, they would kneel in support of a new No Room For Racism campaign.
However, a number of clubs continued to display the Black Lives Matter logo prominently in their stadiums throughout the season.
England fans have packed out pubs as Scots piled into Leicester Square as the crucial Euro 2020 game heads into the second half.
Buckfast-swigging, kilt-wearing Tartan Army supporters have their eyes peeled on tonight’s Auld Enemy match against England after invading the capital.
Fans draped in flags and covered in face paint are watching the head-to-head on tenterhooks – with tonight’s game the first time England has taken on the Scots in the Euros since 1996.
But supporters were left on the edge of their seats as the goal-less first half drew to a close.
And England fans were left in suspense as Tyrone Mings headed the ball off the line as the Scots took a shot at the goal in the 60th minute.
Massive roars of support have echoed across pubs in London as the nail-biting game unfolds tonight.
It comes as Scots in kilts descended on the capital to cheer on Scotland – despite not having tickets to get into Wembley due to Covid restrictions.
Hundreds of keen and rowdy football fans packed Leicester Square in London this afternoon – as they braved the elements and loudly sung and chanted together.
Fans draped in Scotland flags filled the square as others played the bagpipes- setting the tone for the crunch clash.
The Met Police’s two-day order warning fans to not congregate in the West End has seemingly failed, as the revellers on both sides partied and danced in Leicester Square.
But the square – which does not have a massive screen this year – emptied as the game began and fans headed to pubs to watch the action.
A sensible few even stuck around to try to clean up the bottles and rubbish strewn across the square.
Scottish fans made their voices heard yesterday as they overtook parks and landmarks in a boozy display, chanting: “We’ll destroy the English b******s”.
And the raucous behaviour has carried on today with some cheeky fans revealing what a true Scotsman wears under their kilt by baring their backsides.
Others have started letting off flares to choruses of “Yes sir I can boogie” – famously sung by the Scots team as they qualified for the Euros.
One topless Scotland fan was spotted “Klinsmann diving” down a soaking London street.
The Tartan Army footsoldier launched himself onto a city centre pavement through puddles as fellow supporters cheered him on today.
The oldest fixture in international football is steeped in history – with the last time England took on the Scots in the Euros way back in 1996.
Gazza marked his winning goal with his infamous dentist chair celebration as the Three Lions went on to win 2-0.
Wembley historically hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Scotland – with England beating the Auld Enemy 18 times in 32 games at the stadium.
The last time the two teams met at Wembley saw Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill steering England to a 3-0 win for the World Cup qualifier in 2016.
Scotland fans had been urged not to travel without tickets or having arranged a safe place to watch the game.
Supporters have gathered on Trafalgar Square to watch the match – with the area set up in a socially-distanced way for 750 key workers, with two large screens either side of Nelson’s Column.
Inside, England supporter Jamie Powell predicted a one nil win for the Three Lions but said whatever the result it will be an “enjoyable night”.
The 24-year-old sales representative from London said: “The atmosphere on the way here was electric. Everyone was singing.
“It was really positive vibes. You see both sets of fan singing. It’ll just be quite an enjoyable night for everyone.
“Even though it’s a big game I don’t think it matters with the England/Scotland rivalry, it’s going be good one.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
