Football legend John Barnes today claimed England manager Gareth Southgate ‘does not understand how complex racism is’ in a furious Twitter rant over taking the knee.
The former Three Lions star hit out at the national team boss over his insistence that the players will continue to make the gesture as they have a duty to ‘raise awareness’ over racism and inequality.
Southgate had asked for supporters not to boo the stance on the eve of his side’s final Euro 2020 warm-up game against Romania at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday, but a minority ignored the manager’s pleas.
Now Barnes, a star of England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990, has taken to social media to speak out on the issue.
It comes after Croatia, the team’s opponents on Sunday, announced they would refuse to take the knee before the game at Wembley.
Football legend John Barnes (pictured) today claimed England manager Gareth Southgate ‘does not understand how complex racism is’ in a furious Twitter rant over taking the knee
Southgate strengthened his stance on the issue by penning an open letter to England fans on Wednesday, insisting his players have a duty to ‘raise awareness and educate’ both on and off the field, amid the ongoing row
England’s Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips take a knee before the match with Romania last weekend
Responding to one follower, who praised Southgate’s position, Barnes wrote: ‘Of course he should support his players… but what does HE think… forget the players… that’s what an ally is… someone who believes HE’S doing the right thing, not one who follows the crowd, as the crowd may change direction.’
In another comment, he said: ‘I’m 100% behind Gareth to try to win the euros but he doesn’t understand how complex racism is and solutions are even more complicated and he and the team are being used by the system to DEFLECT from REAL inequality in the inner cities by SOLELY focusing and concentrating on football.’
He also reiterated his support for Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace and Ivory Coast winger, who was the first in the Premier League not to make the gesture, insisting it had become ‘degrading’ and had lost all meaning.
Barnes added: ‘If Wilfried Zaha played for England and decided not to take the knee, would Southgate then say we wont take the knee and we’ll support him? What does GARETH think is the right thing to do? Take the knee, don’t take the knee, or just support what the players want?’
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The row follows the revelation earlier today that Croatia’s national football team will not take a knee ahead of Sunday’s clash with England.
The sides will meet at Wembley Stadium, but Croatia will remain standing prior to kick off, as reported by the Athletic, with the country’s spokesman Tomislav Pacak indicating that it is not required by UEFA’s protocols.
Croatia have never taken the knee in a senior match to date, although their Under-21 side did adopt the stance during this year’s European Championship when they faced England.
The world of sport has observed the gesture – popularised by American football player Colin Kaepernick – for more than a year in response to the killing of George Floyd by a white policeman.
However, the knee has been met with a mixed response since supporters have returned to stadiums following the ease of Covid restrictions.
Sportsmail reported on Tuesday that the FA are unhappy with the Government for a lack of support for the England team after jeers were heard at the Riverside Stadium in back-to-back friendlies before kick off.
In a row that could overshadow the game against Croatia, boss Southgate and his players have continued to stress they are united in their desire to keep taking a knee.
The Three Lions coach admitted the booing ‘felt like criticism’ of his players.
‘It’s not something on behalf of our black players I wanted to hear because it feels as though it’s a criticism of them and insisted they were not making a political gesture.
‘I think we have got a situation where some people seem to think it’s a political stand that they don’t agree with,’ he said.
‘That’s not the reason the players are doing it. We’re supporting each other. I was pleased that was drowned out by the majority of the crowd.
Wilfried Zaha became the first Premier League player not to take a knee before a fixture earlier this year
Gareth Southgate has been adamant that his team will continue to take a knee before games
‘We can’t deny the fact that it happened. I think the most important thing for our players to know is all their teammates and all the staff are very supportive.
‘I think the majority of people understand it. I think some people aren’t quite understanding the message. I suppose we’re seeing that across a number of football grounds at the moment.’
Meanwhile, Scotland boss Steve Clarke said his players would hold talks about whether or not they will take the knee before deciding their stance for the tournament. His team are Group D, alongside England.
Czech Republic, who are also in the group and face England on June 22, are also yet to decide on their stance, but have previously opted to point to the words ‘UEFA Respect’ on their football shirts as a mark of solidarity against discrimination.
Taking the knee was at the centre of ugly scenes in Budapest on Tuesday evening when Ireland players were roundly booed by home supporters for adopting the stance.
Hungary chose not to take the knee on Tuesday, while their fans booed Ireland for doing so
The 7,000-strong crowd at the Szusza Ferenc Stadion jeered Irish players, as Hungary players continued to stand – pointing to the ‘Respect’ logo on the sleeve of their jerseys.
Speaking after the game, Ireland boss Stephen Kenny said: ‘The fact it was booed is incomprehensible, really, and it must be damaging for Hungary, with the Euros in Hungary. It’s disappointing and it doesn’t reflect well on Hungary, really, on Hungarian support. It doesn’t reflect well.
‘Our players wanted to do it. It’s important. It’s an important stance and I commend them for taking that stance.’
