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Sinead Butler
Jun 07, 2021
Nigel Farage had plenty to say about England footballers taking the knee
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" 🗣️ "We are determined… https://t.co/KCzy20ndQf— Sky Sports News (@Sky Sports News) 1622904289
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 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1622971884
Disgusting to hear so many supposed England fans loudly boo a team with many black players for taking the knee to p… https://t.co/ilbE3njoAq— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1622707663
"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… https://t.co/Cv3X8FCpSm— ITV Football (@ITV Football) 1622995320
Proud of the England team for doing this. Taking the knee is about making a stand against racism and racial injusti… https://t.co/mlVndEoBQe— David Schneider (@David Schneider) 1623007521
The England team couldn’t be clearer : taking the knee is about challenging racism and expressing solidarity with t… https://t.co/jFKxh866dQ— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@Krishnan Guru-Murthy) 1622997340
Blows my mind that Marcus Rashford, who literally ensured children are being fed in some of the poorest parts of th… https://t.co/0AnBBJI1yq— Adam Crafton (@Adam Crafton) 1622995403
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 I turned around & told him his booing was making me feel… https://t.co/lMngtVQyOy— Billy TheBee Grant 🎙📹🗣📺📻✍️🎶🐝 (@Billy TheBee Grant 🎙📹🗣📺📻✍️🎶🐝) 1623000119
If you boo England players taking the knee, you’re a racist. If you condone the booing, you’re a racist. It’s as simple as that.— Prof Paul Bernal (@Prof Paul Bernal) 1622998332
Taking the knee is a peaceful protest against racism and inequality; it’s not in support of a Marxist ideology. I d… https://t.co/ecgKTSVaOT— Dave Prior (@Dave Prior) 1623041633
Important thread here from @Leon_Mann. If you understand what taking the knee means, how can you possibly be agains… https://t.co/gcJ9LtvlT0— Coach Ali (@Coach Ali) 1622981588
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. England f… https://t.co/lkGSdx1S1k— Nigel Farage (@Nigel Farage) 1622984499
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. They have a right to boo when players take the knee for Marxis… https://t.co/8SyX4bOoM9— Nigel Farage (@Nigel Farage) 1623004604
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. https://t.co/gF2VEZoaHa— Jamie Donnelly (@Jamie Donnelly) 1622991094
@Nigel_Farage “Let’s keep politics out of football this summer” - a politician, speaking about football, in the summer— Duncan (@Duncan) 1623005273
You’ve just referred to the England following as “soccer fans”, I fear it’s you that is out of touch. The only vali… https://t.co/1GqYZhgdF1— Kyle Aaron O'Shea (@Kyle Aaron O'Shea) 1623010904
This guy thinks footballers kneeling for a few seconds before a match is bad because it’s ‘divisive’. You couldn’… https://t.co/f9Ph9g7Pz8— amar singh (@amar singh) 1623016870
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 cove… https://t.co/oGzwyrYRIn— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1622989226
@Nigel_Farage Most people booing don’t even know what Marxist means. They are doing it because plain and simple the… https://t.co/adPr3ZehXl— SOFA SUPPORTER AFC (@SOFA SUPPORTER AFC) 1623006828
@Nigel_Farage Please explain how taking a knee against racism is Marxist?— ProplifeGB (@ProplifeGB) 1622984893
The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament begins on Friday, June 11, and England’s first match is against Croatia on Sunday, June 13.