Six Premier League Players Refuse to Take the Knee

· GiveMeSport

Six Premier League players have refused to kneel before their fixtures this weekend, including one Leeds star vs Man Utd.

Premier League players have been taking part in the 'No Room For Racism' initiative this weekend, taking the knee during Black History Month.

The practice was first introduced by the Premier League following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. During Project Restart, players in the English top flight used the gesture as a protest against racial injustice after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in the US.

While the gesture isn't seen every week in 2026, the Premier League decided to have two weekends dedicated to it in October. However, one player decided against taking part before Leeds United's 1-1 draw against Manchester United .

Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescued a point for Daniel Farke's side after Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring in the first half at Elland Road. The English striker was seen standing while his teammates and opposition kneeled prior to kick-off.

It's the second year running that Calvert-Lewin has done so. Farke addressed the situation last year , and was forced to do so again after his side shared the spoils with the Red Devils.

Manchester United failed to win in the Premier League once again on Sunday

> "Dom is more or less like, ‘No, I don’t go down. I show my respect by standing up’," Farke said in his press conference. "Every individual is different and shows respect for this campaign in a different way."

The German coach was also asked about the alleged boos inside Elland Road when the players knelt. But Farke was quick to praise the message the Premier League are aiming to send, saying:

> "It’s definitely a good campaign and a good topic that football and sports, in general, 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."

Calvert-Lewin wasn't alone in taking a different stance. Everton defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles became the first player of the weekend to refuse to take the knee before his side's 2-0 loss against Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Marc Guehi and Issa Diop remained on their feet before Manchester City vs Ipswich Town. On Sunday afternoon, Bournemouth duo Rayan and Tyler Adams followed the same path.

It's important to stress that the mentioned players aren't seen to be disrespecting the gesture and won't face punishment for refusing to take part. Instead, like Calvert-Lewin, they are likely showing respect in the way they feel is appropriate.

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