Nigel Farage had plenty to say about England footballers taking the knee
(Picture: Getty Images and The FA via Getty Images)Nigel Farage has branded England manager Gareth Southgate and his players as “divisive” for taking the knee before matches, in the fight against racism.
During the recent international friendlies, sadly, some England fans have been booing the players for doing this.
Southgate has spoken out against this behaviour and reiterated his stance on the matter, saying: ““We are determined more than ever to take a knee in this tournament.”
🗣️ "You have to put yourself in the shoes of a young player about to represent his country"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 5, 2021
🗣️ "We are determined more than ever to take a knee in this tournament"
Gareth Southgate reiterates his sadness of some #ENG fans booing the players taking a knee v Austria pic.twitter.com/1gks5OQakM
While supporters ranging from former England footballers to celebrities, and journalists condemned the so-called fans that were booing, and shared their support for the team.
If you boo @England players for taking the knee, you’re part of the reason why players are taking the knee.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) June 6, 2021
Disgusting to hear so many supposed England fans loudly boo a team with many black players for taking the knee to protest racial inequality, then loudly cheer one of those black players when he scored.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 3, 2021
Next time these idiots boo, the players should walk off.
"We're very clear on our stand - we're very clear that we're totally with the players. We're united as a staff and playing group."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2021
Gareth Southgate, @TheRealAC3, @IanWright0 and Roy Keane discuss the @England squad taking the knee pic.twitter.com/n6PwM76bWr
Proud of the England team for doing this. Taking the knee is about making a stand against racism and racial injustice.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) June 6, 2021
Anti-racism is not something you should boo. Unless, of course, you’re a racist. https://t.co/x8Zeb65qID
The England team couldn’t be clearer : taking the knee is about challenging racism and expressing solidarity with those who’ve suffered it. It isn’t about supporting the politics of some BLM activists. So if you want to boo (it’s a free country) just be clear what you are booing. https://t.co/0BW0dibsmD
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) June 6, 2021
Blows my mind that Marcus Rashford, who literally ensured children are being fed in some of the poorest parts of the north east, is wearing captain’s armband, leading players in taking the knee, and paying supporters are still booing his act.
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) June 6, 2021
Twitter has seen a lot of people share their thoughts on the issue with the majority England fans showing their support for the team on the important issue.
So. England fan behind me starts to rabidly boo the knee
— Billy TheBee Grant 🎙📹🗣📺📻✍️🎶🐝 (@billythebee99) June 6, 2021
I turned around & told him his booing was making me feel uncomfortable
Fans all around him told him in no uncertain terms to shut up and asked him to move away from them
“We’re not with you”
He’s now gone@kickitout
If you boo England players taking the knee, you’re a racist.
— Paul Bernal (@PaulbernalUK) June 6, 2021
If you condone the booing, you’re a racist.
It’s as simple as that.
Taking the knee is a peaceful protest against racism and inequality; it’s not in support of a Marxist ideology. I don’t know how much clearer that could’ve been made.
— Dave Prior (@daveprior81) June 7, 2021
I’m glad the England team will continue to do it and hope these shameful boos will stop #England #TakeTheKnee
Important thread here from @Leon_Mann. If you understand what taking the knee means, how can you possibly be against it? My support is with @England and everyone else who is actively seeking to challenge racism wherever we hear or see it. https://t.co/ANz1tk0AxT
— Coach Ali (@_CoachAli_) June 6, 2021
That being said, Twitter is a polarising place and we all know one man who loves to inject himself into a politicised problem - Nigel Farage.
The former Brexit Party leader tweeted that manager Southgate “doesn’t seem to understand that the BLM movement is not only Marxist but divisive too.”
Gareth Southgate doesn't seem to understand that the BLM movement is not only Marxist but divisive too.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 6, 2021
England fans will hate this, they just want to watch a game of football. https://t.co/qyU1izoLhi
Apparently, Farage hadn’t expressed his opinion enough, and proceeded a video online sharing declaring, “Gareth Southgate is out of touch with England fans.”
He argued that fans “have a right to boo” and described that taking the knee was for “Marxist BLM.”
“Let’s keep football out of politics this summer,” said the politician talking about football.
Gareth Southgate is out of touch with England fans.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 6, 2021
They have a right to boo when players take the knee for Marxist BLM.
Let's keep politics out of football this summer. pic.twitter.com/7kISwKITKe
Many online were quick to point out Farage’s hypocrisy at calling Southgate and the England players “divisive” as Farage has probably been one of the most divisive politicians in UK politics when it came to Brexit.
Nigel Farage here. Suggesting that Gareth Southgate is divisive. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/gF2VEZoaHa
— jamie (@_jamiestarr) June 6, 2021
Nigel Farage calling the best england team coach in decades ‘divisive’ whilst he divided a country & pushed through a brexit that even he says is a shit idea
— Laughs (@laughslongtime) June 6, 2021
Brexit england really is a dump pic.twitter.com/3w2Z9roOQw
“Let’s keep politics out of football this summer”
— Duncan (@duncan_19) June 6, 2021
- a politician, speaking about football, in the summer
You’ve just referred to the England following as “soccer fans”, I fear it’s you that is out of touch. The only valid point you have is re keeping politics out of football and I hope you include yourself in that statement 😂 https://t.co/SWKvFTYlrn
— Kyle Aaron O'Shea (@IAmKyleOShea) June 6, 2021
This guy thinks footballers kneeling for a few seconds before a match is bad because it’s ‘divisive’.
— amar singh (@amarjourno) June 6, 2021
You couldn’t make it up. 😂 https://t.co/nVY4v6GUfb pic.twitter.com/AykO7sk9Ie
While others were confused at Farage labelling the Black Lives Matter movement as “Marxist,” as footballers are among the highest-paid people in the country.
Some of the highest paid twentysomethings on the planet are secretly Marxists but they accidentally blew their cover by expressing their opposition to racism before playing football. I think I've got it now.
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) June 6, 2021
Most people booing don’t even know what Marxist means. They are doing it because plain and simple there’s abit of racist in them
— SOFA SUPPORTER AFC (@Sofa_Supporter) June 6, 2021
Please explain how taking a knee against racism is Marxist?
— ProplifeGB (@gbusson) June 6, 2021
The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament begins on Friday, June 11, and England’s first match is against Croatia on Sunday, June 13.
