English football club Brentford explain why their players didn’t take the knee

True to their word, Brentford’s players stood as their opponents and the match officials all took a knee. [photo courtesy]

English football club Brentford has announced that their players will no longer be taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign, ahead of kickoffs.

In the wake of George Floyd's death in Indiana last year, Premier League and English Football League (EFL) clubs have taken a knee before games as a show of protest against racial injustice.

The Championship side released a statement earlier in the weekend explaining they no longer believe it's having an impact.

"As a group of players, we have decided we will no longer take a knee before the start of matches. This will begin when we face Barnsley tomorrow, Sunday 14 February," Brentford's statement read.

"This decision has come after lengthy discussions as a group. We have been taking a knee before games since June but, like many of our fellow players at other clubs, no longer believe that this is having an impact. We believe we can use our time and energies to promote racial equality in other ways.”

English football club Brentford explain why their players will no longer take a knee before matches [photo courtesy]

Brentford say they will continue to support colleagues at other clubs who want to continue kneeling before matches.

"As a group we are fully behind and proud of Brentford’s desire to become the most inclusive club in the country and the drive towards equality under the #BeeTogether banner,” the statement continued.

"We have experienced racist abuse first hand and have also seen some appalling comments made to other players past and present.

"There is a clear need to continue to push for an end to all discrimination and, as players, we will be part of that at Brentford FC, in football in general and in the wider community.

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"Togetherness is one of our key values as a group and plays an important role in helping us move towards reaching our goals.

"Racism is the opposite of what we stand for. As players we will show our commitment to Togetherness and racial equality on and off the pitch between now and the end of the season, and beyond. We will also support our colleagues at other clubs that still want to take a knee before games."

True to their word, Brentford’s players stood as their opponents and the match officials all took a knee.