Leeds boss Daniel Farke has explained why his striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not take the knee ahead of his side’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.Only five players refused to take the knee as part of the Premier League’s “No Room for Racism” campaign over the weekend: Everton’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ipswich’s Issa Diop, Manchester City’s Marc Guehi, and Bournemouth’s Rayan and Tyler Adams.Speaking after his side’s draw, Farke explained Calvert-Lewin’s decision and praised the Premier League campaign.He said: “Dom is more or less like: ‘No, I don’t go down. I show my respect by standing up.’
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“Every individual is different and shows respect for this campaign in a different way.”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.”LATEST SPORTS NEWSMikel Arteta hails ‘special’ Arsenal star after late winner against Nottingham ForestRoberto De Zerbi reveals details of Spurs’ Marbella training camp ahead of clash versus CoventryChristian Horner speaks out about ‘difficult period’ after 2024 allegations and how wife Geri helpedPlayers have the opportunity to perform the gesture across two October gameweeks as part of the league’s efforts to challenge discrimination.Most players took the knee, while four others have not disclosed why they chose not to.The developments come amid a debate within football over whether taking the knee remains an effective way of confronting abuse.During his Chelsea career, Marcos Alonso pointed towards the No Room For Racism badge on his sleeve instead of kneeling.Wilfried Zaha previously explained his objection in 2021, saying: “I feel like taking the knee is degrading, because growing up my parents just let me know that I should be proud to be black no matter what and I feel like we should just stand tall.”The gesture became widespread in English football in 2020 following George Floyd’s death in US police custody and the subsequent global anti-racism protests.Premier League players initially knelt before every match, but in August 2022 they shifted to focusing on selected occasions.Tottenham and Coventry City players will have the opportunity to take the knee this evening in the final match of gameweek seven.Squads will have the chance again next weekend as part of the league’s effort to challenge racism.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter