Harry Maguire
Club captain Harry Maguire is hopeful that supporters returning to Old Trafford will be able to help Manchester United’s players make their stance against racism even clearer.
Harry Maguire said “All Manchester United players fully support the decision to continue taking the knee in the Premier League this season. We have said many times as individuals, a team and a club that we are united against racism. We need to keep demonstrating that message – now more than ever. We hope these actions continue to have an impact and lead to positive changed, especially with fans back supporting us in the stadium. Racist abuse in any form on any platform cannot be tolerated and together we must keep fighting it.”
Earlier today, the Premier League issued a statement to confirm that they “wholeheartedly support” the plan that has been put in place.
Premier League statement read “We feel now, more than ever, it is important for us to continue to take the knee as a symbol of our unity against all forms of racism. We remain resolutely committed to our singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exits, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect and equal opportunities for all.”
It has been confirmed that players from all 20 Premier League clubs will continue to take the knee ahead of kick-off during the 2021/22 campaign, with both players and clubs hopeful that by doing so their message of being united against racism will hit home. Players and staff have been taking the knee since June last year after worldwide anti-racism movements called for justice to be served and substantial societal changes to be made after police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in Minneapolis. However, their united stance against such hate has, unfortunately, still not been enough to stamp it out of football, with United duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho being targeted online after England’s defeat to Italy in the final of the European Championship last month.
