RUGBY IS DIVIDED OVER BLM
PLAYERS WANT ASSURANCES MOVE IS NOT POLITICAL AHEAD OF RESTART
REPRESENTATIVES from Premiership Rugby’s 12 clubs were holding a conference call today, amid concerns there are divisions among players about taking a knee before matches resume this week.
As has been the case in other sports, players are expected to be given the opportunity to kneel before Premiership matches in a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
A working group, which is being led by former England wing Ugo Monye, has been working on the initiative alongside the elite clubs, but there are concerns — as has been the case in Formula One — there may not be a unified approach.
Representatives from all 12 Premiership clubs were due to hold a conference call today at 1pm to discuss the matter.
It is understood some players, while unified in their fight against racism, want to know exactly what they will be kneeling for and there is a reluctance to be associated with any political messages that have been attached to the Black Lives Matter movement.
It is possible that a solution could be for players to show their support to anti-racism in a different way to taking the knee.
In F1, for example, some drivers have elected not to take a knee but have worn T-shirts with the message ‘End Racism’ written on them.
The Premiership will return this Friday night for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, when Harlequins host Sale at The Stoop.
Before the game — and every other one this weekend — there will be a minute’s silence to salute NHS workers and honour those who have lost their lives during the pandemic.
Harlequins head of rugby, Paul Gustard, said his squad have been in discussions about the possibility of taking a knee on Friday and he will support their stance.
“It’s important that we as a club have an opportunity on Friday night to show unity and love for our friends and try to take a positive step forward. We have seen strong action from football, in particular,” he said.
London Irish are also in action this weekend — against Bath — and their morale ahead of that match has been boosted this morning after they confirmed the signing of Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy. The former Pumas captain has 89 caps and will join the Irish squad immediately.