On Sunday 13 June, at Wembley Stadium in London, there was applause, but also whistles as the England footballers dropped to one knee, just before the kick-off of their first match of Euro 2021, won against Croatia (1-0). Some of the English supporters protested against this anti-racist gesture by the players of the Three Lions.
The day before, the English Football Federation had yet issued a statement asking “England supporters to unite in the fight against discrimination”. This message followed the whistles fed by the English public already heard during the preparation matches for the Euro of the national team against Austria and Romania, in Middlesbrough, on June 2 and 6.
Raheem Sterling rewarded for his action against racism
The appeal of the English federation therefore seems to have been partially heard by the 22,500 spectators, mostly English, who attended their country’s match against Croatia on Sunday at Wembley. Present in the gallery, BBC Sport editor-in-chief Phil McNulty noted “A mixed reaction” public. The reporter referred to whistles from a ” large number “ English supporters, while qualifying: “The boos were also followed by heavy and prolonged applause. “
Before the start of the tournament, England manager Gareth Southgate said his players were “More determined than ever” to put the knee on the ground before the start of the matches. “This gesture is personally important for the players and the values that the team represents collectively”, had insisted the English federation in its press release published on Saturday.
Friday, June 11, the English player Raheem Sterling was elevated to the rank of member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II as a reward for his involvement against racism. He was the one who scored his team’s winning goal against the Croats.
Whistles also heard in St. Petersburg
On Saturday, before their first match of the European Championship against Russia, in Saint Petersburg, the Belgian players also put their knees on the ground. But again, whistles came down from the stands.
Tuesday, June 8, it was part of the public in Budapest, host city of the Euro, who had whistled the Irish players having put their knees on the ground during a friendly match against Hungary. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban then defended these whistles from spectators, arguing that such a demonstration ” not’[avait] out of place on a sports field ”. Hungary “ has never been involved in the slave trade ”, he added.
The Ferenc-Puskas stadium in Budapest is preparing to host three group matches – including the one between Hungary and France, on June 19 – as well as a round of 16 of the Euro.
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