AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES DECLINES TO KNEEL BEFORE CHELSEA MATCH

Everton defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles remained standing while other players took the knee before Saturday’s Premier League match against Chelsea. The gesture took place moments before kick-off as the Premier League began its latest No Room For Racism campaign. Maitland-Niles was the only player on the pitch who did not kneel. He had given no public indication before the match that he would decline to take part. Marc Guehi and Issa Diop were also named among Premier League players who declined the gesture.

The Premier League said players would take the knee before every top-flight fixture until 25 October. It said the gesture would show unity against all forms of discrimination during the next two match rounds. According to the league, captains made that decision at the start of the season. Other players have previously questioned the gesture. Former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha called kneeling “degrading” and said it was used to “tick boxes”.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the campaign would use players’ reach to send a message against racism. He said the league and clubs remained committed to developing diversity within football and their communities throughout the season. Masters also said players and others in football continued to face abuse. The league would support those subjected to discrimination and work with clubs and authorities to bring offenders to justice, he said. The Premier League has announced no change to its plan for players to kneel before the remaining campaign fixtures.