‘Taking knee’ has not brought change - Britt Assombalonga on why Middlesbrough took a stand

Britt Assombalonga says Middlesbrough’s players did not “take the knee” at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday because they feel the time has come to move beyond gestures to actions.
By Stuart Rayner
Published 28th Sep 2020, 16:55 BST
Britt Assombalonga on why Middlesbrough elected to standBritt Assombalonga on why Middlesbrough elected to stand
Britt Assombalonga on why Middlesbrough elected to stand

Players getting down on one knee at the start of matches has been a regular feature since Sheffield United players David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp put the idea forward before the first game of the restarted Premier League season, in mid-June, shortly after the worldwide backlash prompted by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

The gesture was popularised by NFL player Colin Kaepernick in 2006 when he refused to stand for the national anthem as a protest against racial oppression.

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It remains a regular Premier League feature but is becoming piecemeal in the divisions below with some clubs questioning whether they should continue doing it, and others calling for guidance from the Football League.

West Ham United's Sebastien Haller takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement prior to the Carabao Cup third round match against Hull last week (Picture: PA)West Ham United's Sebastien Haller takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement prior to the Carabao Cup third round match against Hull last week (Picture: PA)
West Ham United's Sebastien Haller takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement prior to the Carabao Cup third round match against Hull last week (Picture: PA)

“It’s something we’ve been thinking about as a squad,” explained Assombalonga.

“As a captain, I spoke to the boys because I wanted to take that responsibility.

“QPR didn’t do it at their last game, so it was something we spoke about. There’s an important point to it, but I just feel now that there has to be action. It has to lead to something, as opposed to just being a trend.

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“I’ve probably got six or seven years left of my career – I don’t want to be taking a knee every time but still be waiting for a change.

“I’ve got a little girl, and I don’t want her to be asking, ‘Daddy, why do you keep on taking a knee?’, and then when I explain to her, she asks, ‘Well, has there been any change?’, and I have to say, ‘Well, no, actually.’”

Assombalonga is a strong advocate of the Black Lives Matter movement – its hashtag appears in place of his name on the striker’s Twitter account.

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James Mitchinson

Related topics:Queens Park RangersMiddlesbroughPremier LeagueDavid McGoldrickMinneapolisGeorge Floyd

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