Les Ferdinand on why QPR players didn’t take a knee on Friday

Is it ‘political’ to think Black people deserve equality?

People carp on about those who take the knee and those who don’t.
It ought to be personal choice but peer pressure prevails.
 
1finny said:
Is it ‘political’ to think Black people deserve equality?

People carp on about those who take the knee and those who don’t.
It ought to be personal choice but peer pressure prevails.
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BLM are without doubt a political movement.
 
I think when you see 49ers players snd coaches kneeling you know it’s a gimmmick after the way they ( and be fair all 32 nfl sides) treat Kaepernick shows their hypocrisy now.

for those that don’t know.
 
QPR have one of the best local community programs for disadvantaged blacks and local poor people. I guess they have a lot of gang issues in the area. They run 5 a side leagues etc for the local area.

I think that's worth far more than clubs up and down the country taking a knee but doing very little else👍
 
B_G said:
What are they going to do when crowds are allowed back in? If they continue with the kneel it is inevitable that sections of certain crowds will boo. Its going to cause offence to players and supporters. It may cause conflict amongst supporters. Particularly where alcohol is involved etc.

It just isn't a good idea. Leave those battles in Trafalger Square and let people just go and enjoy a game of football.

I agree with Les Ferdinand btw... A one off spontaneous kneel would send a very powerful message. A mandatory kneel across the sport means very little at all.
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Everyone applauded on Saturday when the players took the knee at the Riverside - it was powerful because it was the first time that supporters had actually witnessed and been able to react to it live.
 
There are bigger issues than this in the world surely. The ‘man’ is quite happy for us to debate all this while he screws us all.
in my opinion we won’t conquer race inequality until we stop thinking of ourselves as different.
however, can’t we just have football back ffs. Don’t want a lesson in morality every time I watch a sport.
 
QPR believe in putting ideas into action. In 2019 they renamed their stadium after a local black youngster and extremely promising QPR youth player who was stabbed to death. Everytime anyone goes past the sign Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium for the first time they will ask why that name?
 
rob_fmttm said:
Everyone applauded on Saturday when the players took the knee at the Riverside - it was powerful because it was the first time that supporters had actually witnessed and been able to react to it live.
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Rob, all due respect there was a 1000 fans, all spread out with no alcohol on sale.

Once you get the alcohol fuelled RW mobs that are evident in football grounds across the country do you think you will get 100% respect?
 
BoroMart said:
Is it a mandatory kneel? If a player refuses to kneel will they be sanctioned by the governing body? NO. So it is personal choice, the fact that most players don't want to be seen opposing a drive for racial equality says it all.
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Have you ever stopped for a second to think about how many that kneel actually care and how many are doing it through societal pressure ?
Regardless of the rights or wrongs, the ones that are brave enough to be different are the ones that should be applauded.... Kaepernick is a good example. Those F1 drivers that didn't kneel should also be applauded.
 
B_G said:
Rob, all due respect there was a 1000 fans, all spread out with no alcohol on sale.

Once you get the alcohol fuelled RW mobs that are evident in football grounds across the country do you think you will get 100% respect?
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A group of intoxicated racist louts are not going to be allowed to stop progress and understanding.
The louder and more aggressive the louts resistance is a sign the tide is rising against them.
 
Positive action against inequality, including racism, should be non-negotiable.

And I absolutely agree with every word Les Ferdinand says.
 
r00fie1 said:
A group of intoxicated racist louts are not going to be allowed to stop progress and understanding.
The louder and more aggressive the louts resistance is a sign the tide is rising against them.
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And roofie, you think football matches are the place for this flashpoint?
 
B_G said:
When I turn on the TV or attend a match, it is my time to relax and enjoy some sport, get away from other stresses in life etc. It is a form of entertainment. I don't want to be debating with Jonny Redneck or Liberal Lenny about whether players should be kneeling and what my opinions on the BLM movement are which is inevitably what happens.
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The view that sport is just a form of entertainment and that politics and culture don't push through is really naive. Why you go to the game, why certain fans or players excite you or rile you up, why FA Cup stories of part time teams or clubs fallen on hard times having a good run grab the attention, are all entangled in the politics of the region, the politics of the country - and with states now buying our biggest clubs to build their own reputation and distract, its the politics of the world too.

If people just wanted to go to the game and get away from the stresses of life, we'd still be watching football in crumbling stadiums.

I'm not sure about the continued taking of the knee. I think Ferdinand's point about it becoming another empty gesture in place of actual action is solid, and of course the situation in the US is completely different to the UK. But as long as black players (and players from other ethnic backgrounds) have to contend with some atrocious racism directed at them, doing a job they have worked all their life for, inside stadiums, on social media, comments sections on newspaper articles, messageboards - though not this one I'm pleased to say - for me they can do whatever they like to jolt a change in behaviour and attitude in those who come to watch the game for the love of the sport. I'll back them.


Stick Football Against The Enemy on your Christmas list - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Football-Against-Enemy-Simon-Kuper/dp/0752848771 - its a great read, even though its 26 year old.
 
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