Is Taking the Knee Enough? England Coach Wiegman Calls for Stronger Action Against Racism
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Synopsis
In a powerful statement, England's head coach Sarina Wiegman declares that taking a knee is insufficient in the fight against racism, following the online abuse faced by defender Jess Carter. The Lionesses aim to spark deeper conversations about social change and the ongoing struggle against racism in football.
Key Takeaways
- Sarina Wiegman believes that taking a knee is no longer sufficient in combating racism.
- The Lionesses aim to shift the focus to more impactful actions.
- Jess Carter's experience of racial abuse has prompted a reevaluation of their stance.
- England has reached the semi-finals in the Women’s European Championship.
- A police investigation is ongoing regarding the abuse.
New Delhi, July 22 (NationPress) England's head coach Sarina Wiegman asserts that merely taking a knee—a gesture of support for the Black Lives Matter movement—is inadequate in the fight against racism, especially following the racist online abuse directed at defender Jess Carter.
The Lionesses have issued a statement declaring that they will cease the practice of taking the knee before matches to demonstrate solidarity with teammate Jess Carter, who disclosed experiencing racial abuse during the ongoing Women’s European Championship.
Wiegman remarked, "It is evident that we, and the sport, must explore alternative methods to combat racism. Taking the knee is insufficient. We have engaged in this for some time, but the impact is not as significant as we believe. When we encounter such instances of racism, we feel compelled to do something different, which is why we are discontinuing the knee-taking ritual," she explained to BBC Sport.
So far, Carter has played 310 minutes, starting all four matches as England progresses to the semi-finals against Italy on Wednesday (IST). A police investigation is currently underway.
England midfielder Georgia Stanway expressed that the moment for taking a knee has passed and emphasized the need for tangible change.
"We believe we have moved beyond the act of taking a knee. Despite our efforts, racism persists. We have chosen to stand instead, and we feel this will prompt conversations about the inadequacy of current measures," said Stanway.
Following a shaky start where they conceded two early goals against Sweden, the defending champions rallied to equalize the quarter-final match 2-2, eventually triumphing in a penalty shootout.
Point of View
It is crucial to emphasize that addressing racism in sports requires more than symbolic gestures. The England women's football team is taking a commendable step by prioritizing meaningful dialogue and action, ensuring that the fight against racism remains at the forefront of public consciousness.
NationPress
22/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is taking a knee considered insufficient?
Taking a knee, while a powerful symbol, has not led to significant change in combating racism, as highlighted by England coach Sarina Wiegman, who believes more impactful actions are necessary.
What prompted the Lionesses to stop taking a knee?
The decision to stop taking a knee comes in response to the racist abuse directed at defender Jess Carter, leading the team to seek alternative ways of addressing racism.
What are the Lionesses doing instead of taking a knee?
The Lionesses have opted to stand instead of taking a knee to encourage discussions about the urgency of addressing racism and to promote social change.
What is the current status of the police investigation?
A police investigation is currently underway regarding the racist online abuse faced by Jess Carter.
How has the team performed in the Women’s European Championship?
The Lionesses have demonstrated strong performance, reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s European Championship.
