The Scotland national team have announced that they will take the knee for their Euro 2020 clash with England on Friday 18th June.
It is a move that has sparked yet more controversy surrounding the whole kneeling gesture as the Scottish Football Association had previously stated that manager Steve Clarke and his side will not be joining in with the movement that we have seen develop over the course of the 2020-21 campaign.
However, their partial U-turn has come for just one game, against the Three Lions, as a mark of respect and solidarity for their Great British companions.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Clarke said “we have to do better” in the fight against racism and discrimination.
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“It’s a collective decision but the most important thing for me is we’re getting away from the message.
“It’s not about what we do. It’s not about whether we take a stand against racism, or you take the knee against racism. We’re trying to send a message out there to society, we have to do better.
“Discrimination in any shape or form is unacceptable. That should be the key message.”
The decision to kneel with England was applauded by Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who tweeted her admiration of the agreement.
From kick-off at Wembley next Friday, @ScotlandNT and @EnglandFootball will be the fiercest of opponents – but before that, the players will unite in solidarity against racism. Good decision, Scotland – well done! https://t.co/w15smxGsus
Clarke added, “We remain committed to our principles of taking a stand at Hampden Park but we’ve agreed we’ll show solidarity with our counterparts in England. At Wembley, we’ll stand against racism and kneel against ignorance.”
Scotland will continue to stick to those said principles against their other Group D opponents, Croatia and Czech Republic, a stance that we have also seen more clubs doing in recent times – most notably, Championship side Derby County.
Liverpool left-back and Scotland captain Andy Robertson kneels with his club and stands with his country and does so because he believes that regardless of a nation or club’s stance, it is about everyone sticking together.
He said: “Our stance is that everyone, players, fans, teams, clubs, federations, governing bodies and governments must do more. Meaningful action is needed if meaningful change is to occur.
“But it is also clear, given the events around the England national team, taking the knee in this tournament matters as a symbol of solidarity.”
England players were met with boos during the knee from some portions of the crowd during both of their pre-tournament warm-up games and it will be interesting to see how the crowd react when both teams join in solidarity on June 18th.
It is hoped that the football is allowed to be the main talking point this time next week and it is England who go into the match as heavy favourites in the Euro betting market – unsurprising considering that this is the Tartan Army’s first international finals appearance since the 1998 World Cup in France.
Gareth Southgate’s team are 1/3 on but if you fancy an upset from Steve Clarke and his Scotland side, you can get them at a huge 8/1. A draw is available at 15/4.
