Marcos Alonso believes the anti-racism act of taking a knee is in danger of losing its impact and the Chelsea defender broke his silence on refusing to complete the pre-match ritual.
Ahead of the season, players agreed to continue making the protest — started during Project Restart — in the continued fight against racism. But Alonso is among only a handful of players who have stopped taking the knee before kick-off, joining Wilfried Zaha and Ivan Toney in standing.
Zaha called the act ‘degrading’ earlier this year and Toney said players were being ‘used as puppets’ when asked to take a knee.
Alonso said: ‘I am fully against racism and every type of discrimination. I just prefer to put my finger to the badge where it says no to racism, like they do in other sports and football in other countries.
‘Maybe it’s losing a bit of strength the other way, so I just prefer to do it this way and to show I am fully supportive.’
Alonso believes none of his team-mates have a problem with this decision, saying: ‘We haven’t talked about it. We are like a family.
'I have a very good relationship with everyone. If I have to speak to anyone I will say the same as I told you and I don’t think there will be any problems.’
Alonso has played a key role for Chelsea during their excellent start to the season — they are joint-top of the Premier League after five matches.
The Spaniard insists it is the squad’s strength in depth that makes them title-contenders, adding: ‘These days there are so many games that I’m sure we’ll need everyone.
'It’s very tough this season and it’s going to be tough to stay up there.’
ShyDevil
213
Taking the knee before the game is just eyewash. Real racism problems is not addressed at all. Fans in England continue to hurl racist abuse at players and all across Europe it happens as well. FIFA World Cup is happening in a racist country where immigrant workers are treated like trash. When FIFA itself shows that money is more important than dealing with Racism then you know this problem will not go away. I 100% agree with Alonso. Players should be allowed to protest however they want before the game. They should even be allowed to display messages against racism in their t shirt messages under their jerseys. Don’t card them when they do that. Support it. Show real work. Not eye wash.
kg-4991
8
Taking the knee before the game is just eyewash. Real racism problems is not addressed at all. Fans in England continue to hurl racist abuse at players and all across Europe it happens as well. FIFA World Cup is happening in a racist country where immigrant workers are treated like trash. When FIFA itself shows that money is more important than dealing with Racism then you know this problem will not go away. I 100% agree with Alonso. Players should be allowed to protest however they want before the game. They should even be allowed to display messages against racism in their t shirt messages under their jerseys. Don’t card them when they do that. Support it. Show real work. Not eye wash.
What's happening in Qatar has nothing to do with Racism. They are not Racist. They are business men. The best. What they are doing is anti-humanitarian and anti-human. Not Racism.