Czechs will not kneel on the euro. Soccer players choose a different symbolism

In addition, the Czech team will use the gesture only if the opponent chooses any form of support for the fight against racism. By not kneeling, the representatives want to express that politics does not belong in sport.

“We want to focus purely on football and the sports side of our participation in the European Championships. I understand that society sees similar issues as important, and the national team condemns any form of racism, but we discussed the whole matter with the team during the March meeting. They have chosen our own solution and we will not change anything in this attitude, “said Czech coach Jaroslav Šilhavý in a press release.

Petr Fousek, the new chairman of the Football Association of the Czech Republic, also agrees with the decision not to kneel down and possibly point to the inscription on the sleeve.

“After my election, I consulted with the leadership of the national team about the possible gesture of our national team in the fight against racism and I supported the chosen solution. We are completely in agreement, ”said Fousek.

“I consider freedom in the expression of each individual representation to be an absolute necessity and the UEFA Respect program sufficiently includes all topics related to the fight against any form of intolerance,” added Fousek.

The main goal of the UEFA program is to strive for unity and respect for the race, gender, religion and abilities of each individual. The campaign has been running since 2008 and has support across UEFA member associations. The representatives knelt last October during a League of Nations match in Scotland, where they complied with requests from the home team. Subsequently, some fans criticized them for it.

Kneeling reactions are also provoked by kneeling at the ongoing championship, for example, Russian fans loudly whistled for this gesture by the Belgians in Saturday’s match in St. Petersburg.

The Czech team will enter the Euro on Monday in Glasgow with a match against the Scots, who will only kneel in the second match at Wembley against England. The squint’s charges will also continue to play in the group in Glasgow with Croatia and then with England at Wembley.

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