‘It’s like clapping for the NHS’: Lionesses’ decision to stop taking the knee triggers debate

<p>While some activists insist it remains a ‘powerful antiracist act’, others say the symbol has been stripped of value</p><p>It has been the most visible symbol of antiracism in sport since the athletes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/aug/31/black-power-the-fists-and-the-fury-that-shook-america-and-inspired-generations">Tommie Smith and John Carlos</a> raised their fists at the 1968 Olympics.</p><p>Taking the knee was adopted by UK football teams in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, having been popularised by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/colin-kaepernick">Colin Kaepernick</a> and his teammate Eric Reid <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/01/colin-kaepernick-eric-reid-kneel-national-anthem-protest-san-francisco-49ers">during a 2016 American football game</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/23/like-clapping-for-the-nhs-lionesses-decision-to-stop-taking-the-knee-triggers-debate">Continue reading...</a>