Premier League sides to take knee against discrimination for two games

Premier League players are set to take the knee before top-flight matches over the next two weekends as part of an anti-discrimination campaign.

The league's 'No Room For Racism’ initiative takes place over the next two rounds of games, and as part of that players will take the knee as a gesture against racism and other forms of discrimination.

Premier League club captains decided ahead of the start of the season to select significant moments to make the gesture rather than before every game, after it became a common sight at matches following the death while under police arrest of black man George Floyd in the United States in 2020.

Some black players and coaches had questioned the impact of making the gesture every week, including Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha and QPR director of football Les Ferdinand.

Other occasions selected for players to take the knee include the St Stephen's Day round of matches – which will mark the return of the Premier League after the World Cup – future No Room For Racism campaign weeks, the final day of the season and the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals.

Other messaging in support of the campaign will be displayed around Premier League stadia.

Darren Moore, the chair of the Premier League’s Black Participants’ Advisory Group (BPAG), said: "In my time as chair of BPAG, I have seen a lot of significant changes and progress in tackling discrimination and creating more opportunities across the game.

"I think it is fantastic players are continuing to take the knee to show a united front against racism. The BPAG fully supports the players as they take the knee at selected matches to continue to send this powerful message.

"I am proud of the work being done to increase the number of coaches from