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      Poland don’t take knee before England match after Czech Republic also ditched gesture before Wales loss

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      POLAND did not take the knee before their England clash after their FA president said the gesture was their ‘last topic of interest’.Players have gone down on one knee across the world ahead of kick-off at sporting matches to highlight the fight against social discrimination and injustice.
      Poland’s players decided against taking the knee before kick-off at WembleyCredit: Getty
      It started in support of the Black Lives Matter movement but, particularly among the English game, to champion the No Room For Racism campaign.
      And while Paulo Sousa’s side opted out, the England team did take the knee ahead of the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
      Poland – who lined up without injured Robert Lewandowski – instead stood and pointed to the Uefa ‘Respect’ badge on their sleeves, just as the Czech Republic did in Cardiff on Tuesday.
      As reported by Sport in Poland, the Polish FA president Zbigniew Boniek said on Monday: “I do not know if we will kneel with the English.
      “So far, this topic has not appeared at the training camp.
      “There were so many more important, more dangerous, that this is the last topic that interests us.”
      Former Poland international goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski – who was his nation’s hero between the sticks when England failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup – believes the taking of the knee is an idle political gesture and was not necessary for his country.
      He told Polish Radio 24: “I do not want to say how our representatives should behave.
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      “I can say with full responsibility that I would not kneel. I have an eagle on my chest and this does not concern me.
      “In our history, we had no reasons why we should do it now.”
      A statement from the Polish FA read: “The Polish Football Association informs that the players of the Polish national team before the match with England at Wembley took a neutral and apolitical position towards the “Black Lives Matter” initiative.
      “At the same time, we emphasize that all Polish representatives are jointly and severally opposed to any manifestations of racism and intolerance.
      “In its statutory activities and duties, the PZPN has always been guided by openness, observance of the principles of equality, tolerance and equal rights towards all people, regardless of their place of residence, color of skin, religion and political views.
      “To express their objection, the Polish representatives, before the first whistle of the match with England, pointed to the “UEFA Respect” inscription on the left sleeve of the jersey, which refers to the campaign conducted by the European federation against racism, xenophobia and intolerance.”
      The Czech Republic team performed an identical gesture to the Poles in their match against WalesCredit: PA
      This follows a similar statement from the Czech FA a day earlier, which read: “Following the events of the last days, weeks, and months, the management of the Czech national football team together with the Football Association of the Czech Republic want to jointly announce that the national team will take a neutral apolitical stance to certain topics that have been resonating in the sports environment.
      “This namely concerns the Black Lives Matter initiative, in which some players kneel before football matches.
      “To express their support for the fight against racism and other displays of discrimination, xenophobia and antisemitism, the Czech national team will point to the Uefa Respect inscription on the left sleeve of their jerseys, referring to the Uefa campaign of the same name, before the match in Wales.
      “The aim of the Uefa Respect program is to work towards unity and respect across gender, race, religion and ability of each individual.
      “We believe that everyone should be able to play football, regardless of age, gender, race, or any disability.
      “At the same time, we do not tolerate any displays of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and other intolerance.”
      England ran out 2-1 winners at Wembley through a late strike from Harry Maguire.
      England made the gesture in all three of their March World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
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      Poland don’t take knee before England match after Czech Republic also ditched gesture before Wales defeat

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      POLAND did not take the knee before their England clash after their FA president said the gesture was their ‘last topic of interest’.Players have gone down on one knee across the world ahead of kick-off at sporting matches to highlight the fight against social discrimination and injustice.
      Poland’s players decided against taking the knee before kick-off at WembleyCredit: Getty
      It started in support of the Black Lives Matter movement but, particularly among the English game, to champion the No Room For Racism campaign.
      And while Paulo Sousa’s side opted out, the England team did take the knee ahead of the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
      Poland – who lined up without injured Robert Lewandowski – instead stood and pointed to the Uefa ‘Respect’ badge on their sleeves, just as the Czech Republic did in Cardiff on Tuesday.
      As reported by Sport in Poland, the Polish FA president Zbigniew Boniek said on Monday: “I do not know if we will kneel with the English.
      “So far, this topic has not appeared at the training camp.
      “There were so many more important, more dangerous, that this is the last topic that interests us.”
      Former Poland international goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski – who was his nation’s hero between the sticks when England failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup – believes the taking of the knee is an idle political gesture and was not necessary for his country.
      He told Polish Radio 24: “I do not want to say how our representatives should behave.
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      “I can say with full responsibility that I would not kneel. I have an eagle on my chest and this does not concern me.
      “In our history, we had no reasons why we should do it now.”
      A statement from the Polish FA read: “The Polish Football Association informs that the players of the Polish national team before the match with England at Wembley took a neutral and apolitical position towards the “Black Lives Matter” initiative.
      “At the same time, we emphasize that all Polish representatives are jointly and severally opposed to any manifestations of racism and intolerance.
      “In its statutory activities and duties, the PZPN has always been guided by openness, observance of the principles of equality, tolerance and equal rights towards all people, regardless of their place of residence, color of skin, religion and political views.
      “To express their objection, the Polish representatives, before the first whistle of the match with England, pointed to the “UEFA Respect” inscription on the left sleeve of the jersey, which refers to the campaign conducted by the European federation against racism, xenophobia and intolerance.”
      The Czech Republic team performed an identical gesture to the Poles in their match against WalesCredit: PA
      This follows a similar statement from the Czech FA a day earlier, which read: “Following the events of the last days, weeks, and months, the management of the Czech national football team together with the Football Association of the Czech Republic want to jointly announce that the national team will take a neutral apolitical stance to certain topics that have been resonating in the sports environment.
      “This namely concerns the Black Lives Matter initiative, in which some players kneel before football matches.
      “To express their support for the fight against racism and other displays of discrimination, xenophobia and antisemitism, the Czech national team will point to the Uefa Respect inscription on the left sleeve of their jerseys, referring to the Uefa campaign of the same name, before the match in Wales.
      “The aim of the Uefa Respect program is to work towards unity and respect across gender, race, religion and ability of each individual.
      “We believe that everyone should be able to play football, regardless of age, gender, race, or any disability.
      “At the same time, we do not tolerate any displays of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and other intolerance.”
      England ran out 2-1 winners at Wembley through a late strike from Harry Maguire.
      England made the gesture in all three of their March World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
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      Bernie Ecclestone claims Black Lives Matter USING Lewis Hamilton for money and ex-F1 boss wouldn’t let drivers take knee

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      BERNIE ECCLESTONE has controversially claimed Lewis Hamilton is being used by Black Lives Matter – and says he would ban the F1 champ from taking a knee.Following a row with the Mercedes superstar last year, the former F1 boss has again criticised his links to anti-racism campaigners.
      Lewis Hamilton donned a number of Black Lives Matter shirts last yearCredit: Getty
      Bernie Ecclestone has continued his criticism of the campaignCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, 36, made a number of statements in support of BLM and other causes, including the Justice for Breonna Taylor campaign, en route to winning a seventh world title in 2020.
      But Ecclestone, 90, hit back at suggestions of racism in the sport.
      After being told by the Brit that he ‘lacked understanding of the deep-rooted issues’ being campaigned against, Ecclestone doubled down.
      And in an interview with the Telegraph ahead of the 2021 season commencing in Bahrain on Sunday, he continued his criticism of BLM.
      The Suffolk-born businessman said: “I don’t think he really understood what I was saying.
      “I agree we need to give more people a chance. Don’t forget I was the first person to put a black guy in a Formula One car.
      I’ve said: ‘Lewis is being used by the people who are supporting this BLM and they are taking a lot of money from it’.Bernie Ecclestone
      “And I supported him and have supported an awful lot of black people. But Lewis is entitled to his view.
      “But I’ve said to his father, ‘Lewis needs to be careful. Because he’s being used by the people who are supporting this Black Lives Matter and they are taking a lot of money from it. And nobody knows where it goes’.”
      Sports Personality of the Year winner Hamilton was asked last year if he was afraid how people would react to him taking a public stand.
      He insisted: “There is no way that I could stay silent.
      “And once I said that to myself, I didn’t hold any fear”.
      Ecclestone would not allow F1 drivers to take a knee, were he still in charge of the sportCredit: Getty

      Hamilton will continue to show his support for anti-racism causes in the new season although it is not known whether drivers will take a knee before races as many of them did during 2020.
      And Ecclestone, a huge figure in F1 since the 1970s, says he would ban the champ’s displays were he still in charge.
      He added: “If I’d have still been around there wouldn’t have been anyone wearing [anti-racism] T-shirts on the podium, that’s for sure.
      “One hundred per cent, there wouldn’t have been this business of kneeling before races.
      “I agree the sport should do more to encourage diversity but it shouldn’t be used as a [political] tool.”

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      Wigan’s Funso Ojo believes US Capitol ‘riot’ may be GOOD for Black Lives Matter

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      FUNSO Ojo admits he was thankful when people ‘rioted’ at the US Capitol building as it could be good for his career – by bringing the fight against racism in stark focus.
      However, he can understand why Wilfried Zaha describes taking a knee before matches as ‘degrading.’

      Wigan’s Funso Ojo is a passionate supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement

      The Wigan midfielder has been the victim of monkey chants during his time in Holland and is a passionate believer in the Black Lives Matter movement.
      And when former President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol building, and the way it was dealt with, he was thankful as it showed why the cause exists in clear vision.
      Ojo, on loan from Aberdeen, said: “What happened in the Capitol was probably the best thing that could’ve happened for us of different nationalities and colours.
      “Now people understand what we were talking and complaining about as there was a massive difference in how that situation got handled.

      “The day after it happened, the physio at Aberdeen said, ‘Now that’s happened, I understand the Black Lives Matter movement. I see what you mean.’

      Ojo believes the Capitol riot may prove a good thing for the Black Lives Matter movementCredit: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
      “He was like, ‘It can’t be that bad,’ but that was a pure riot and nothing happened. That’s when he said, ‘Now I understand.’
      “I’ll still take a knee as racism is still there – if anything it’s not getting better.
      “Tendayi Darikwa here says he won’t do it any more, he’s on the same page as Zaha but it’s a personal matter, I can see where Wilfried is coming from.

      “But I look at where it started with Colin Kaepernick in the NFL and what it stood for at the start. I understand what Wilfried’s saying but it’s a symbol and a message.

      Ojo admits he thinks about Colin Kaepernick taking the knee when people say Black Lives Matter is losing its relevanceCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “Those type of players in the public eye still get a lot of messages, maybe more now as it’s in the public eye. So maybe they think, ‘It’s not doing anything.’”
      Belgian Ojo, 29, swapped life in Aberdeen for crisis club Wigan but the way things operate, he would not know the club is in administration.
      And he is adamant they can still stay in League One, even though they face leaders Peterborough today.
      But while he believes the competition in England’s third tier is stronger and deeper than the Scottish Premiership, the air is worse in Greater Manchester.

      Ojo admits he felt like he was on Peaky Blinders when he mistook a strong Scouse accent at Wigan for a Birmingham oneCredit: BBC
      Some of the accents around the place also take some getting used to.
      Ojo, who himself has a slight Scottish twang, added: “There are too many Scousers here, all I hear is, ‘All right, all right, all right.’
      “I thought our assistant coach had a Birmingham accent at first but apparently it’s a string scouse accent.
      “When he spoke, I felt like I was in Peaky Blinders!” More

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      F1 star Lewis Hamilton vows to fight for equality ‘as long as I have air in my lungs’ in Black Lives Matter rally cry

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has vowed to maintain his fight for equality ahead of the new Formula One season.
      Last year saw the seven-time world champion expand his anti-racism efforts, drawing a particular focus on motorsport.

      Lewis Hamilton has updated fans on his anti-racism effortsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      F1 bosses agreed to increase their own equality campaign with several drivers taking a knee alongside Hamilton before races.
      However, the 36-year-old will not stop there and continues to support the Black Lives Matter movement as well as causes such as the Justice for Breonna Taylor campaign.
      On Friday, he posted his latest thoughts on Instagram, and wrote: “Black Lives Matter. Last year some of us took a knee in support of equality which I am proud of.
      “My question is, what’s next? The inequities within our sport and within the world persist. Change is still needed.

      “We must keep pushing to hold ourselves and others accountable. We have to keep striving for equality for all, in order to continue to see true and lasting change in our world.
      “As long as I have air in my lungs, I will continue to fight for change in everything I do.
      “I will work to create pathways and opportunities for kids of colour, within sciences, engineering and creative disciplines.
      “Let’s keep pushing. What are you committed to?”

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      Hamilton will attempt to secure a record-breaking eighth world title in the upcoming F1 season.
      Mercedes agreed a new £40million contract with the Brit earlier this month but there is speculation over his future beyond that.
      As well as the BLM post and a picture of his shadow standing with a fist raised in the air, he updated fans on another passion of his on Friday.
      Hamilton filmed a clip of his laptop and soundboard setup while mixing his own music, with the caption: “Back doing what I love.”

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      Ivan Toney slams ‘we are being used as puppets’ over taking knee in support of BLM as Brentford refuse to do it any more

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      BRENTFORD star Ivan Toney claims players are being ‘used as puppets’ as he explained why the club’s squad are no longer making the anti-racism gesture before games.
      The Championship’s 24-goal top scorer believes the gesture is allowing ‘people at the top’ to just rest on the subject and as a result it has not changed anything.

      Ivan Toney has opened up on why Brentford are no longer taking the knee pre-matchCredit: Rex Features

      The striker says players are being ‘used like puppets’ in the taking the knee gestureCredit: PA:Press Association

      The promotion-chasing Bees announced last Saturday their players would not be taking the knee any longer and they failed to do it before last Sunday’s home defeat to Barnsley.
      The 24-year-old striker told Sky Sports: “We have had a long discussion about that; why we are not taking a knee.
      “Everyone has had their say, and everyone agrees [that] we have been taking the knee for however long now and still nothing has changed.
      “We are kind of being used as puppets, in my eyes; take the knee and the people at the top can rest for a while now, which is pretty silly and pretty pointless. Nothing is changing.”

      The ex-Peterborough star continued: “The punishments need to be stronger. You’re going to do so much and, in a way, you have to get that helping hand, but it doesn’t look like it’s coming at the moment.
      “So you have to push for that and hopefully things change.
      “You have to try and educate people more but the question is, do people want to be educated? That’s another topic.
      “You can only do so much, you can only try and help certain people. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t force him to drink.

      Brentford decided not to take the knee before last week’s clash with BarnsleyCredit: Getty

      “The club is working extremely hard behind the scenes to try and make the extra impact. I think that’s big because the diversity in our team is massive.
      “You have people from different backgrounds and we are all working together towards the same goal. That’s key to have really.
      “We are focusing on things behind the scenes at the moment.
      “But come Saturday we won’t be taking the knee. If we come up with something else to do in future then we know we are going to do that.”
      Toney’s comments come just days after Wilfried Zaha said it was ‘degrading’ for black people to have to take part in football’s symbolic attempts to eradicate racism.
      The Crystal Palace ace is fed up that people of colour still have to go the extra mile to prove they matter as much as everybody else.
      And he also accused social media giants of a charade in their claims to be tackling race abuse online.
      Toney himself was subjected to online abuse last month and reported it to police.

      Ivan Toney was subjected to online abuse last month and reported it to policeCredit: Rex Features
      But he believes those committing such acts are being allowed to hide behind anonymity – although Facebook have announced stricter punishments for violations on their platforms, which includes Instagram.
      However, Toney has called for harsher punishments for racists from law enforcement.
      He told Sky Sports: “You should have your identification taken before you sign up to any network like Twitter or Facebook. People will be in charge of their own actions.
      “If anything goes out there, you know this person has done it, know where to locate them; short and sharp.
      “Now someone can say something online, the account will get blocked for a bit, give it 24 hours and they’re back online, back at it again.
      “I feel like they’re not going to learn. Or within seconds they can just make another account. So it is very easy for people to do something like that.
      “People can hide behind a screen. No one is going to do it at a match, in front of you, like throw a banana at a black player or something. They are very happy hiding behind a screen and being comfortable.”
      The hotshot added: “There was an incident recently, I put it out there. The media’s been saying I don’t want to take it further.
      “They made it seem like I’m not really bothered. But it’s far from that. It’s because I don’t really think it’s going to go any further.
      “They might get a slap on the wrist but, come next week, they can just do it again. So I feel like the punishment has to be harder.

      Wilfried Zaha feels taking the knee in the fight against racism is degradingCredit: PA:Press Association
      “We are actually looking through our mentions for racist abuse. That should never be the case.
      “Okay people might say you’re rubbish but colour shouldn’t come into the situation. I feel like that is very frequent at the moment.
      “People feel comfortable just throwing things out there not realising people’s feelings.
      “Personally, the way things are going at the moment, I think instead of taking the knee they will probably think of something else to do and just cover up for another year or so, and it will just be a continuous thing like that. Whereas there needs to be harsher punishment.”
      Twitter banned an account which sent racist abuse to Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah.
      The Gunners striker, 21, was racially abused on social media after posting a picture of himself at training.
      A response to Nketiah’s photo captioned ‘working with a smile’ told him to leave the club along with a racist message.

      Eddie Nketiah was racially abused on Twitter this weekCredit: Getty
      And a spokesperson for Twitter told Sky Sports News: “Racist behaviour has no place on our service and when we identify accounts that violate any of the Twitter Rules, we take enforcement action.
      “The account referenced has been permanently suspended.”
      Top pros have demanded action from social media giants after vile abuse from trolls.
      Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial are among those to have suffered racist hate.
      Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger also revealed he was targeted with racist abuse.
      Managers Mikel Arteta and Steve Bruce along with referee Mike Dean have all received death threats on social media.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Southampton starlet Alex Jankewitz, 19, suffers vile racist abuse as police launch investigation after Instagram attacks

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      ALEX JANKEWITZ has become the latest football star subjected to hideous racist attacks online.
      The Southampton youngster made his first Premier League start against Manchester United on Wednesday.

      Alex Jankewitz was sent horrific racist messages online after his full Premier League debutCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The teenager was sent off early on in Manchester United’s win over SouthamptonCredit: PA:Press Association

      After only 82 seconds, the Swiss midfielder was sent off for a challenge on Scott McTominay.
      And disgusting racist remarks quickly began to appear on 19-year-old Jankewitz’s Instagram.
      According to talkSPORT, Hampshire Police are investigating the incident which is just the latest of its kind in recent weeks.
      A growing number of footballers have suffered taunts online, including former Arsenal star Ian Wright whose teenage abuser avoided jail in Ireland on Wednesday.

      Manchester United pair Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe were subjected to horrendous abuse after a defeat to Sheffield United.
      Chelsea and England defender Reece James then shared racist remarks he had been sent online.
      The 21-year-old called for social media companies to do more to tackle the problem, and wrote: “Something needs to change!”
      Marcus Rashford came forward on the weekend to condemn racist abuse he had received.

      Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial has also been subjected to online abuseCredit: AFP

      Reece James is another footballer recently targeted onlineCredit: PA:Press Association
      The United star, 23, tweeted: “Humanity and social media at its worst.
      “Yes I’m a black man and I live every day proud that I am. No one, or no one comment, is going to make me feel any different.
      “So sorry if you were looking for a strong reaction, you’re just simply not going to get it here.
      “I’m not sharing screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do so and as you can imagine there’s nothing original in them.
      “I have beautiful children of all colours following me and they don’t need to read it. Beautiful colours that should only be celebrated.”
      FA president Prince William added his voice to the calls for social media platforms to increase their efforts.

      He stated: “We all have a responsibility to create an environment where such abuse is not tolerated, and those who choose to spread hate and division are held accountable for their actions.
      “That responsibility extends to the platforms where so much of this activity now takes place.”
      Players from across the game continue to take a knee before matches in solidarity against racism, a protest that began in football in the wake of the US police killing of George Floyd last May.

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      Lyle Taylor claims BLM support is ‘scandalous’ and reveals he won’t ‘blindly’ take knee as gesture has been ‘diluted’

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      NOTTINGHAM Forest striker Lyle Taylor has revealed why he refuses to take the knee before matches.
      Taylor claimed he does not ‘blindly support’ Black Lives Matter and urged people to look at what the organisation stands for.

      Lyle Taylor does not support Black Lives Matter as an organisationCredit: Rex Features

      The ex-Charlton forward did not take part in the protest ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Cardiff.
      He insisted the message behind the gesture has been ‘diluted’ for months now.
      Taylor, 30, said:  “My support for what it is we are trying to achieve is absolute.
      “But I do not support Black Lives Matter as an institution, as an organisation.

      “I’d request anyone who blindly supports Black Lives Matter to have a look to what that organisation does and what it stands for – because it’s scandalous the fact that the whole world and the whole world’s media got behind Black Lives Matter.
      “Standing behind Black Lives Matter, all the big institutions, all of them sitting there saying Black Lives Matter, not a good idea.
      “I’ve done my fair amount of research into it. The message is 100 per cent important, don’t get me wrong on that.
      “Black lives do matter but you will never hear me saying Black Lives Matter again in reference to that organisation.

      “The message has been diluted beyond belief. If we’d stopped three months ago it would’ve been. It’s gone past the point. What’s actually happening?
      “Because every week I turn on the news and another player has been racially abused.

      “There’s channels and there’s avenues we have to go down to do this the right way.”
      Taylor revealed he has not been criticised for his decision and has the blessing of manager Chris Hughton not to kneel.
      Taylor added: “I did have a conversation with the manager and I said, ‘Am I okay to do as I please and stand and not take a knee?’
      “He said, ‘Yes, if that’s what you believe in then that’s your decision, you’re a grown man, you can make your own decisions’.
      “So he’s allowed me to do that. Look, if people ask me my opinion, you’ll know I’m not scared of voicing them.”
      Taylor revealed progress has been made in a case in which he was racially abused online.

      Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton has given Lyle Taylor permission not to take the kneeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He added: “It’s been with the police for a good eight months. It’s still going on. It’s not that difficult. They’ve found the person now.
      “I got an email one or two weeks ago saying we’ve found him and he’s going to be arrested and interviewed.
      “Jesus Christ! I said I could probably pay someone £200 and have them find the IP address of the person right now. Take them 10 minutes.
      “You have some people saying you can’t say black. You can’t say mixed race because it’s now dual heritage. No, no. I’m mixed race. My mum is white and my dad is black.”

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