PFA asks players if they still want to take a knee after concerns raised due to fan backlash

Incidents at Exeter and Cambridge follow similar occurrences at Millwall and Colchester with players torn over the ‘Take a Knee’ anti-racism gesture before matches

The Professional Footballers’ Association has asked players whether they wish to keep taking a knee following a series of incidents where fans have booed the anti-racism gesture.

Exeter City and Cambridge United became the latest clubs to condemn supporters who showed opposition to the anti-racism gesture on Tuesday. Exeter ejected a fan from St James Park after they voiced their opposition to the pre-match gesture by loudly booing the players, although other supporters quickly drowned out the jeering with applause.

Cambridge meanwhile condemned the “disgusting” actions of several supporters who booed their own and Colchester United players on the same evening.

The incidents follow similar occurrences earlier this month at Millwall and Colchester following the return of fans to stadiums, and it has led many to question whether it is the right thing to do when there remains a risk of backlash from fans.

Some players have already questioned whether taking a knee has become an empty gesture since it was adopted when football restarted in June - something that came in the wake of George Floyd’s killing while in police custody and the subsequent support of the Black Lives Matter movement - while others including England captain Harry Kane have expressed a desire to see it continue to support those who have been victim of racist abuse.

READ MORE: Exeter eject fan and Cambridge condemn supporters after more boos

As a result, the PFA has sent a survey to all members asking if they wish to continue the gesture as a team or on an individual basis, or if they have any other suggestions about what could replace the stance if they feel too uncomfortable for it to continue.

The survey, which was revealed by ITV, listed five key points:

1. Do you want to take the knee as a squad?
2. Do you want to take the knee individually?
3. If the knee is shown resistance by fans do you think it should be reconsidered?
4. Would you welcome an alternative to taking a knee?
5. If so, please give details (optional).

Premier League players have taken the knee before every match since the 2019/20 season resumed in June, with teams agreeing to continue the gesture through the current campaign. However, the EFL has not taken the same approach this season, with some clubs and players choosing to remain standing before games and a concern behind the scenes of the gesture’s link to the political BLM group.

Premier League players have taken a knee before every game since football restarted last season (Getty)

Millwall elected to scrap taking a knee after fans booed the gesture at last week’s game against Derby County, and replaced it with an ‘Equality - United for Change’ banner that was displayed by both sets of players for their games against Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough this month. In response to the jeers, QPR players Ilias Chair and Bright Osayi-Samuel took the knee while celebrating the former’s goal at The Den.