Daniel Farke Supports Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Decision Not to Kneel Before Match Against Burnley
Leeds United’s head coach, Daniel Farke, has openly defended striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s choice to stand instead of taking the knee prior to the team’s 2-0 defeat against Burnley on Saturday. Farke emphasized that players at Leeds are encouraged to express their personal views on combating racism and promoting equality in their own unique ways.
In a post-match interview, Farke addressed the importance of respecting individual choices when it comes to showing commitment to social justice. He drew parallels to former Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville, who also opted not to kneel during his tenure at the club. “It’s up to the individual player,” Farke stated, as reported by the Daily Mail. “We’ve been taking the knee for a long time. I remember asking Cree Summerville about it, and he expressed a preference to stand up against racism. Everyone has their own perspective on this issue.”
Calvert-Lewin, who recently joined Leeds on a free transfer after leaving Everton, stood while all other players on the field knelt as part of the Premier League’s "No Room For Racism" campaign. This initiative, which runs from October 18 to 26, aims to reinforce support for diversity and inclusion across the league. Launched in 2020, the campaign encourages players and officials to unite against discrimination.
Initially inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, the gesture of taking the knee has been a staple before Premier League matches for the past two seasons. However, in 2022, the league decided to limit this gesture to specific match rounds, such as the "No Room For Racism" week, to maintain its significance.
At Turf Moor, while some sections of the crowd responded with light applause, a few boos were also heard as both teams took the knee. Burnley’s manager, Scott Parker, stated that he was unaware of the crowd’s reaction, focusing instead on his team’s performance, which secured a vital victory with goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and substitute Loum Tchaouna.
Ugochukwu opened the scoring in the 18th minute, converting a well-placed cross from Kyle Walker, while Tchaouna sealed the win with a precise finish in the second half. This victory boosted Burnley’s morale, while Leeds faced a challenging match where Calvert-Lewin struggled to make a significant impact.
The response to the Premier League’s anti-racism gesture has sparked discussions in recent months. In matches across the league, reactions have varied, with some crowds remaining silent, while others offered light applause or jeering. Notably, during the Women’s European Championship this summer, England’s Lionesses chose not to kneel prior to their semi-final against Italy, citing that the gesture’s message was "no longer being heard." Similarly, Tottenham’s women’s team recently echoed these sentiments, with captain Bethany England stating that taking the knee no longer felt meaningful amidst ongoing prejudice and racism.
As the conversation around the effectiveness of taking the knee continues, it’s clear that players and teams are evaluating how best to contribute to the fight against racism in football and beyond.
