Six Premier League Players Choose Not to Take the Knee in Recent Matches
This past weekend, six players from the Premier League opted not to kneel before their matches, including one player from Leeds United during their game against Manchester United.
Background of the Gesture
The 'No Room For Racism' campaign has seen Premier League players take a knee, especially during Black History Month. This tradition began in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic after George Floyd's death sparked global protests against racial injustice. The Premier League now dedicates two weekends in October to this gesture.
Despite this, the practice isn’t performed every week in 2026. Before Leeds and Manchester United's 1-1 draw, one Leeds player chose not to kneel.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Decision
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was seen standing while his teammates and the opposition kneeled before kickoff at Elland Road. Calvert-Lewin scored a late goal to help Leeds secure a point after Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half goal.
This marks the second consecutive year Calvert-Lewin has stood instead of kneeling. Leeds’ manager, Daniel Farke, addressed the issue again after the match:
"Dom is more or less like, ‘No, I don’t go down. I show my respect by standing up’. Every individual is different and shows respect for this campaign in a different way."
Farke also spoke about reported boos inside Elland Road when players knelt, emphasizing the value of the campaign:
"It’s definitely a good campaign and a good topic that football and sports, in general, support situations like this because a dressing room is a perfect example of how we should all live together. Different passports, different languages, different religions, but they are all together as human beings and friends who work together toward one target. This is how the world should be."
Other Players Who Stayed Standing
Calvert-Lewin wasn’t alone in his choice. Everton defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles was the first player to stand during his side’s 2-0 defeat against Chelsea. Additionally, Marc Guehi and Issa Diop stood before the match between Manchester City and Ipswich Town. On Sunday, Bournemouth teammates Rayan Adams and Tyler Adams also remained on their feet.
None of these players face penalties or accusations of disrespect. Like Calvert-Lewin, they appear to express respect in a way they personally believe is fitting.
Upcoming Premier League Fixtures
- October 19, 8:00pm: Tottenham vs Coventry
- October 23, 8:00pm: Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest
- October 24, 12:30pm: Aston Villa vs Manchester City
- October 24, 3:00pm: Coventry vs Fulham
- October 24, 3:00pm: Arsenal vs Everton
- October 24, 5:30pm: Chelsea vs Tottenham
- October 25, 2:00pm: Manchester United vs Blackburn
- October 25, 2:00pm: Liverpool vs Brighton
- October 25, 2:00pm: Hull vs Brentford
- October 25, 2:00pm: Crystal Palace vs Newcastle
- October 25, 4:30pm: Sunderland vs Leeds
- October 31, 12:30pm: Chelsea vs Manchester United
- October 31, 3:00pm: Manchester City vs Brighton
- October 31, 3:00pm: Hull vs Ipswich Town
- October 31, 3:00pm: Coventry vs Sunderland
- October 31, 3:00pm: Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
- October 31, 3:00pm: Blackburn vs Leeds
- October 31, 5:30pm: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
- October 31, 8:00pm: Aston Villa vs Fulham
- November 1, 4:30pm: Liverpool vs Arsenal
