Six Premier League Players Opt Out of Taking the Knee This Weekend
Premier League Players Skip Taking the Knee During Black History Month
During this weekend's fixtures, six Premier League players chose not to take the knee before kick-off as part of the "No Room For Racism" campaign, which is observed during Black History Month. This gesture, introduced in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and following the death of George Floyd in the US, is intended to protest racial injustice.
The gesture is not always performed weekly in 2026, but the league dedicated two weekends in October for it. One notable player who stood instead of kneeling was Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United during their 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
Calvert-Lewin's Stand at Elland Road
Calvert-Lewin helped secure a point for Leeds after Bryan Mbeumo scored first for the visitors. While most players knelt, he remained standing. This marks the second year in a row that he has taken this stance. Leeds' manager Daniel Farke commented on the decision:
"Dom is more or less like, ‘No, I don’t go down. I show my respect by standing up.’ Every individual is different and shows respect for this campaign in a different way."
Farke also addressed reported boos from fans at Elland Road when players knelt, praising the Premier League’s message:
"It’s definitely a good campaign and a good topic that football and sports support situations like this because a dressing room is a perfect example of how we should all live together. Different passports, different languages, different religions, but they are all together as human beings and friends who work together toward one target. This is how the world should be."
Other Players Who Remained Standing
Besides Calvert-Lewin, five other Premier League players declined to take the knee. Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Everton was the first to stand before his side’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. Marc Guehi and Issa Diop did the same before the match between Manchester City and Ipswich Town. On Sunday, Bournemouth’s Rayan Adams and Tyler Adams also stayed on their feet.
These players are not seen as disrespecting the campaign and will not face penalties. Like Calvert-Lewin, they appear to be showing their respect in their own way.
Upcoming Premier League Fixtures
- Oct 19, 8:00 PM: Tottenham vs Coventry
- Oct 23, 8:00 PM: Ipswich vs Nottingham
- Oct 24, 12:30 PM: Aston Villa vs Manchester City
- Oct 24, 3:00 PM: Coventry vs Fulham
- Oct 24, 3:00 PM: Arsenal vs Everton
- Oct 24, 5:30 PM: Chelsea vs Tottenham
- Oct 25, 2:00 PM: Manchester United vs Bournemouth
- Oct 25, 2:00 PM: Liverpool vs Brighton
- Oct 25, 2:00 PM: Hull vs Brentford
- Oct 25, 2:00 PM: Crystal Palace vs Newcastle
- Oct 25, 4:30 PM: Sunderland vs Leeds
- Oct 31, 12:30 PM: Chelsea vs Manchester United
- Oct 31, 3:00 PM: Manchester City vs Brighton
- Oct 31, 3:00 PM: Hull vs Ipswich
- Oct 31, 3:00 PM: Coventry vs Sunderland
- Oct 31, 3:00 PM: Brentford vs Nottingham
- Oct 31, 3:00 PM: Bournemouth vs Leeds
- Oct 31, 5:30 PM: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
- Oct 31, 8:00 PM: Aston Villa vs Fulham
- Nov 1, 4:30 PM: Liverpool vs Arsenal
