Bournemouth has confirmed they will not be taking the knee this season as they prepare for their first game back in the English top flight.
‘Taking the knee’ is a symbolic gesture that players undertake in their quest to stand tall against all form of racial discrimination in football.
However, back in 2021 while in the Championship, Bournemouth announced they will cease taking the knee, claiming it no longer has the same effect it used to have and that they feel the pre-match gesture has overrun its course.
“Fighting all forms of discrimination and creating an equal, inclusive society is something that we feel very passionately about. But that is defined by much more than a gesture, which we feel has run its course and is no longer having the effect it first did eight months ago.” The Cherries announced in a statement.
Bournemouth have returned to the premier league after a two-year absence and have no plans of changing their stands regardless.
Championship teams, Swansea City and Bristol City have all confirmed they will not be taking the knee this season saying there are other ways of enhancing equality and so will not be making the gesture but will respect other clubs desires to maintain the status quo.
It involves placing one’s knee against the ground before kickoffs as a way of protest against racial injustice.