Six Premier League players remain standing as anti-racism gesture returns

Six players across five Premier League clubs remained standing as teams took the knee over the weekend for the first time this season, BBC Sport reported. The pre-match gesture returned as part of October's No Room for Racism campaign, with Manchester City's Marc Guehi among those choosing not to kneel.

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Bournemouth's Tyler Adams and Rayan, Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ipswich's Issa Diop and Everton's Ainsley Maitland-Niles were the other players identified in the report. The Premier League said participation was led by players and that it supported the positions they adopted, whether as a group or individually.

Guehi explained that he had not taken the knee for some time and instead applauded. Speaking ahead of City's Champions League match, the England international described racism as a problem extending beyond football, while saying the sport could help communicate the message. He welcomed the campaign's continued presence but said further action was possible and its development should be considered.

The other five players had not publicly explained their decisions, according to BBC Sport. Leeds manager Daniel Farke did address Calvert-Lewin's position, saying the striker expressed respect by standing. Farke supported the campaign and described the dressing room as an example of people from different backgrounds living and working together.

Premier League players began taking the knee in 2020 following George Floyd's death and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. Club captains agreed before the 2022-23 season to reserve it for selected matches. This season's October fixtures coincide with Black History Month in the UK, with the league announcing the gesture for two rounds of matches.

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out told BBC Sport that kneeling remained useful in raising awareness, while recognising why players might feel frustrated by slow progress. The charity received record levels of reports last season, with reports of both discrimination and racism more than doubling between 2021-22 and 2025-26.

The wider No Room for Racism programme also includes education. Players have helped create resources about diversity that are available to more than 19,000 primary schools in England and Wales. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the campaign used players' reach to communicate a shared stance against racism, extending its activity beyond the pre-match gesture.