Gareth Southgate's strong message after some supporters booed when England players take the knee [Gazette]

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Southgate's strong message after some supporters booed the knee

There were boos around the Riverside as players took the knee before the game but they were drowned out by applause of others
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There were boos around the Riverside as players took the knee before the game but they were drowned out by applause of others

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Players take the knee at the Riverside (Image: PA)
Gareth Southgate says it's important that supporters understand the meaning of players taking the knee after the symbolic gesture was booed by some supporters at the Riverside.

In the first of two warm-up friendlies on Teesside ahead of this summer's European Championships, England beat Austria 1-0 as 7,000 supporters returned to the Riverside for the game.

But the celebratory atmosphere was somewhat soured ahead of kick-off when some supporters booed as the two sets of players took the knee - a symbolic gesture in football to back an anti-racism agenda.

And asked about the booing after the game, Southgate said it's important that supporters understand the message that the knee gesture symbolises.

He said: "I did hear it. It’s not something on behalf of our black players that I wanted to hear because it feels like it is a criticism of them.

“We have got a situation where some people seem to think it’s a political stand that they don’t agree with.

“That’s not the reason that the players are doing it. We’re supporting each other.

“I was pleased that it was drowned out by the majority of the crowd but we can’t deny the fact that it happened.

“I think the most important thing for our players to know is that all of their team-mates and the staff are fully supportive."

Southgate added: “I think the majority of people understand it but some people aren’t quite understanding the message and we’re seeing that across many grounds at the moment.”

The friendly win at the Riverside was attended by 7,000 supporters, though not all of those supporters were Teessiders, with tickets on sale to England Supporters Club travel members, with flags showing places the width and breadth of the country on show at the Riverside during the game.
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The booing was an embarrassment to our area. Gareth's a very good communicator and an intelligent man, so he was careful not to apportion blame but it was bloody awful to hear. The people booing may have been from out of our area but we have plenty of bigots and idiots among the Boro faithful who would join in heartily - you don't need to look far to see them. Such people really need to shape up or be identified and shipped out.
 
The same thing happened at all 3 play off finals. Sky didn't even mention it as I guess they didn't want to give it traction.

It wasn't just idiot England fans. The thing is it's not remotely been 'tested' in grounds with fans in. I have a feeling it won't last long once grounds are full.

I'm not sure what the answer is? Can you ban people for having an opinion? Let's make it clear they are not booing black players. I suggest if they don't like it then just stand quiet and don't clap.
 
I am at a total loss as to why anyone would boo it?

Until anyone can give me a reasonable explanation then my opinion is that anyone who boos players taking the knee is a peice of racist scum.

I can see fights breaking out over this when fans are back in the ground, I'm certainly calling out anyone near me who's booing it.
 
Colgates_shaving_foam said:
I am at a total loss as to why anyone would boo it?

Until anyone can give me a reasonable explanation then my opinion is that anyone who boos players taking the knee is a peice of racist scum.

I can see fights breaking out over this when fans are back in the ground, I'm certainly calling out anyone near me who's booing it.
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Marxism is often cited when challenged - I would suggest most do t fully understand what Marxism is but it’s a great smokescreen
 
Whatever the rights and wrongs of it (I agree with Britt on this personally) It is the players choice to do as they believe is correct for them. I think it does not achieve the impact intended and other ways to drive the message home need finding, so that such acts are no longer necessary.

However, it was embarrassing and although there were likely people from all over the country at the game, TV viewers from around Britain will have cringed and some may unfortunately take away the wrong perception of Middlesbrough FC, the town and the majority of its people. I hope there is no repeat at the weekend.
 
S7DiscoDown said:
I'm not sure what the answer is? Can you ban people for having an opinion?
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if that opinion is racist then yes.

The often mooted argument that 'we are against politics' doesn't really wash because no one boos at the NHS being supported, or at the poppy appeal, or any of the other things that are related to bettering society. It's only racial equality gestures that seems to come in for this criticism, which can only lead to one conclusion.

What next boo Marcus Rashford for daring to make sure kids don't go hungry, because you know that's "politics" stand outside a foodbank and boo anyone donating food? It's nonsense. People used to say "everything is politics", and it's true, I think what the booers actually mean is "this is party politics" this is left vs right, and that makes this about the demonisation of anything that shows empathy as being far left. It isn't though, human decency shouldn't be related to how much you think we should get taxed, or what form of governance we have. You can be on the right but not racist, so what this appears to be is a growing far right, extremism where empathy disappears and is replaced by hatred.

Anyway, BLM, knee taking, if you don't agree with the gesture ignore it, if you boo you are a part of the racist problem, it's pretty simple.
 
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There's an element who watch England who will boo regardless, its not just a Teesside problem. I can see the booing being a problem throughout the Euro tournament particularly with eastern European fans. i think the boos will also continue around the country into the next domestic season. It was meant to be gesture of support but it most be absolutely gut wrenching to hearing the boo's.
 
I was genuinely surprised and angry to hear the booing last night but proud and pleased that it was very quickly drowned out by applause. I hope those who booed got a little insight into the way the majority of people feel about their actions and next time just shut the fukk up.
 
Glover_elbow said:
There's an element who watch England who will boo regardless, its not just a Teesside problem. I can see the booing being a problem throughout the Euro tournament particularly with eastern European fans. i think the boos will also continue around the country into the next domestic season. It was meant to be gesture of support but it most be absolutely gut wrenching to hearing the boo's.
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Agree with this, I've only ever been to a handful of England games and at every one there were a group of racist bigots nearby chanting their filth. That game V Turkey at the Stadium of Light in 2003 was some of the worst behaviour of that type I've ever had the misfortune to witness.
 
People are born ignorant
Stupidity is learnt
Some very stupid people there last night - most likely racist. They have a ’right’ to express their view, of course.
As my lovely mum used to say though- if you haven’t got something nice to say then be quiet.
Pleasing the majority applauded it.
 
1finny said:
People are born ignorant
Stupidity is learnt
Some very stupid people there last night - most likely racist. They have a ’right’ to express their view, of course.
As my lovely mum used to say though- if you haven’t got something nice to say then be quiet.
Pleasing the majority applauded it.
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I remember being at the last England game at the Riverside & there were groups of fans in the pubs belting out " no surrender to the IRA " not something that I've ever heard Boro fans singing .
 
Colgates_shaving_foam said:
I am at a total loss as to why anyone would boo it?

Until anyone can give me a reasonable explanation then my opinion is that anyone who boos players taking the knee is a peice of racist scum.

I can see fights breaking out over this when fans are back in the ground, I'm certainly calling out anyone near me who's booing it.
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Because people don’t support BLM and what they stand for, which in this country is what ‘taking the knee’ is associated with. Whether those booing are racist or not is a different matter, and clearly those that are racist have no place at a sporting event, or in society as a whole. Politics has been allowed into sport, and don’t think it’s right for the England football manager to be telling supporters what their opinions should be.
 
uncle_rico said:
Because people don’t support BLM and what they stand for, which in this country is what ‘taking the knee’ is associated with. Whether those booing are racist or not is a different matter, and clearly those that are racist have no place at a sporting event, or in society as a whole. Politics has been allowed into sport, and don’t think it’s right for the England football manager to be telling supporters what their opinions should be.
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Utter tosh.

Firstly everyone SHOULD support the aims of BLM. But if you don't just stay silent. It's ten seconds of your life, shut the fukk up.

Secondly, absolutely the England manager should criticise the behaviour of people who think of themselves as "England Fans", he is not telling them what their opinions should be he is telling them how to behave.
 
Read the comments of the gazette article on this. Out of 40 odd comments only 2 were appalled at the booing, the rest just spouted nonsense and marxism crap. Hope they dont hold another international here again after sunday
 
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