Brentford have decided to end the now traditional pre-match knee in support of Black Lives Matter following discussion with the playing squad.
This decision will commence with immediate effect ahead of the Bees’ Sky Bet Championship clash against Barnsley on Valentine Day (14 February).
The whole squad released a joint statement in which they said that they had decided ‘as a group of players’ that they no longer wished to take the pre-match knee, which was decided after ‘lengthy discussions’ as a team.
Thomas Frank’s squad also noted that ‘many of our fellow players at other clubs’ also no longer feel that this gesture has any impact and that ‘our time and energies’ can be better spent promoting racial equality in alternative ways.
All players however reiterated that this isn’t the end of their fight against racism, saying;: ‘As a group we are fully behind and proud of Brentford’s desire to become the most inclusive club in the country and the drive towards equality under the #BeesTogether banner.’
The squad also spoke in their joint statement of ‘a clear need to continue the push for an end to all discrimination’, vowing to play their part at not just Brentford but in football and wider community too.
In the statement’s conclusion, all players iterated that ‘togetherness is one of our key values’ as a team and is important in helping them push forward in achieving their goals on and off the pitch, with racism representing the opposite of what Brentford and all players at the club stand for.
Brentford’s Chief Executive, Jon Varney confirmed that ‘detailed and lengthy discussions took place across the entire club, with Varney supporting the stoppage of pre-match kneel, saying: “We supported their desire to do it and we now support their desire to focus on other ways to show this commitment.”
Varney also spoke of Brentford’s focus on inclusivity and the importance of players contributing towards this target, as he said: “We have been very clear in our ambition to be the most inclusive club in the country and our players want to and will play a big part on this journey.”
To read the full statement, please click here.
Brentford currently sit second in the Championship after Norwich displaced them at the summit, following the Canaries’ 4-1 home win over Stoke on Saturday (13 February).
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