MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 23:57:06| >> :120:49409:49409:

Derby will no longer take the knee before kickoff

Brentford announced last month they would stop the gesture because they felt it had lost its impact.

Derby have become the latest club to announce they will no longer take the knee ahead of kick-off, claiming it is "not enough" to battle discrimination.

Clubs across the country opted to kneel ahead of matches following Project Restart in the continued attempt to rid football of racism.

Brentford announced last month they would stop the gesture because they felt it had lost its impact.

Now Sky Bet Championship rivals Derby have followed suit, insisting their new approach does not alter their stance on battling discrimination.

"Derby County's players and staff have confirmed, unanimously, that they will no longer take a knee before matches," a statement read.

"This decision has been made after discussions as a group, including first-team players and senior staff members, in recent days.

"It has been decided, as a collective group, to no longer take a knee. This decision has been made because the symbolic gesture of taking a knee is not enough; more needs to be done and we are committed to playing an important role in this."

Brentford players decided last month to stop taking a knee ahead of kick-off.
Brentford players decided last month to stop taking a knee ahead of kick-off (John Walton/PA)

Rams forward Colin Kazim-Richards was recently targeted by racist online abuse following a 1-1 draw with local rivals Nottingham Forest.

Derby boss Wayne Rooney called those who posted the comments "cowards" and, with Kazim-Richards having already opted against taking the knee, the club has reinforced their position in stamping out discrimination.

"Derby County is proud to continue its work with many fantastic organisations and individuals, both nationally and in the local community, to strive for equality and diversity in not just football but society," the statement continued.

Watford v Derby County – Sky Bet Championship – Vicarage Road
Derby manager Wayne Rooney, pictured, spoke out about racist abuse aimed at striker Colin Kazim-Richards (Adam Davy/PA)

"We will support the fight against all forms of discrimination by delivering the unified message of standing together as one.

"No longer taking a knee does not change the club's stance on all forms of discrimination. It will not be tolerated at Derby County; this is categorically clear.

"The club will, wholeheartedly, support players and staff at other clubs that still want to take a knee before games involving Derby County. We are all in this together."

ID:438088: cacheID:438088:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:13243:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy pictured on February 16, 2021
Read Next:
Mick McCarthy will not have his "head in the clouds" amid Cardiff playoff push
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland139222391429
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd149321871128
3Leeds UnitedLeeds137512281426
4Burnley136521761123
5Watford147162222022
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom13562148621
7Middlesbrough146351816221
8Millwall135441612419
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn135441614219
10Swansea CitySwansea14545119219
11Bristol City144731819-119
12Norwich CityNorwich144642320318
13Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds145361724-718
14Oxford UnitedOxford Utd144551717017
15Coventry CityCoventry134361717015
16Derby CountyDerby134361617-115
17Stoke CityStoke134361518-315
18Hull City143651518-315
19Cardiff CityCardiff134361319-615
20Plymouth ArgylePlymouth144371425-1115
21Preston North EndPreston133551420-614
22Luton TownLuton133371521-612
23Queens Park RangersQPR141761223-1110
24Portsmouth141671327-149


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!