Roy Hodgson praises ‘articulate’ statement issued by Wilfried Zaha to explain why Crystal Palace star will no longer take a knee
BY SAM SMITH
Roy Hodgson has praised a statement issued by Wilfried Zaha that explained why the Crystal Palace forward would not take the knee before the Eagles’ Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.
The 28-year-old forward opted not to kneel with the rest of his Palace teammates. Footballers across the country have taken a knee before every match as a symbol of anti-racism, although some, including Zaha, feel that the act has lost its meaning.
The Ivory Coast international issued a statement before the game to explain that he felt more needed to be done to prevent racial abuse.
His suggestions included improved education and for social media companies to take stronger action. In July, a 12-year-old boy was arrested by West Midlands Police for sending a racist message to Zaha.
Palace boss Hodgson said: “I read his statement before the game and I thought it was very well put together, very articulate. It’s a statement that all of us would agree with, that [sentiment] is what we are trying to get across. We’re trying to get it across by taking the knee but Wilf is not alone now in being a person who thinks that maybe taking the knee is becoming a bit of a ritual rather than a massive statement.
“He has chosen to take this step which takes him out of the bubble of the knee-takers, if you like, and given him the chance to make the statement that he made to show how strongly he disapproves of what has been going on and what is still unfortunately happening, in terms of abuse and racial abuse in particular. We’re all behind that.
“He cleared it with the rest of the players and the rest of the players decided that, actually, we’re going to keep taking the knee to show that: ‘We care too, but we fully respect that you want to go, in your eyes, one step further and we’re more than happy for you to do that, as long as you have to accept that the publicity will come your way and the questions will come your way and you will have to stand in the vanguard answering them.’”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
