Why Taking the Knee Is ‘Not Good Enough,’ According to Sarina Wiegman
England manager Sarina Wiegman has stated that her team will no longer take the knee before matches, calling the anti-racism gesture insufficient in creating real change. The Lionesses made the collective decision ahead of their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy following a wave of racist abuse directed at defender Jess Carter.
Wiegman emphasized that while the symbolic act has been meaningful in the past, its impact has diminished. Taking the knee, that’s not enough. We’ve done that for a while. The impact is not good enough—it’s not as big as we think, she told BBC Sport.
The Decision to Stand Instead
Rather than kneeling, England’s players will stand at kick-off, a move they believe will spark necessary conversations about racism in football and beyond. Midfielder Georgia Stanway explained, We feel like it has gone past that now. Even when we take the knee, the abuse continues.
The squad hopes their new stance will send a powerful message: existing anti-racism efforts must evolve. Stanway praised Carter’s courage in speaking out, reinforcing the team’s unity.
Backlash and Support
The decision has drawn mixed reactions. While some, like Fare—football’s anti-discrimination body—see kneeling as a vital act of solidarity, others support the team’s stance. Former England defender Izzy Christiansen called it powerful, applauding their clear, unified message.
However, concerns remain. Ex-Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha warned that if Italy also stands, the gesture might lose visibility. The conversation is bigger when they’re doing something different, he noted.
Jess Carter’s Strength Amid Abuse
Despite facing relentless online racism, Carter remains focused on competing. Wiegman confirmed she is mentally prepared to play, highlighting her resilience. Jess is a very strong person. She wants to move on, but we can’t let this go unaddressed, the manager said.
Carter’s willingness to speak out underscores a larger issue—racism in football persists, even as players and authorities strive for progress.
Government and Societal Responsibility
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended the Lionesses’ autonomy in their decision, acknowledging that the Online Harms Act alone can’t eradicate racism. It’s incumbent on all of us to call this out, she said, emphasizing education and corporate accountability.
The History and Future of Taking the Knee
The gesture originated in 2016 with NFL player Colin Kaepernick and became widespread after George Floyd’s murder. England’s teams adopted it during their Euro 2021 and 2022 campaigns, but its effectiveness is now in question.
For Wiegman and her squad, standing is not surrender—it’s a demand for better action. If taking the knee isn’t enough, then football must find new ways to confront racism head-on.
Moving Forward
England’s stance reflects a broader frustration. Symbolism alone can’t dismantle systemic racism—players and fans alike must push for tangible change. As the spotlight turns to their match against Italy, the world will watch: what comes next in the fight against discrimination?
The Lionesses know the conversation can’t stop here. If taking the knee is no longer enough, what will be?
