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U-TURN AS SCOTS WILL TAKE KNEE AT WEMBLEY

The FA’s Paul Elliott on the boo boys... and Gareth’s cultural transformation

By CRAIG HOPE

SCOTLAND will now join England in a show of solidarity by taking the knee at Wembley after reversing their original decision. Manager Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson said on Thursday that they would continue to stand against racism — as they have done since March — rather than kneeling before matches, a symbol they believe has become ‘diluted’. Scotland’s stance on not taking the knee will remain the same for their two other Euro 2020 group matches at Hampden Park, but Robertson has revealed that the recent booing of England’s players before matches has caused a rethink among their squad. ‘Our position was — and remains — that the focus must be on meaningful change to fight discrimination in football and wider society,’ said the Liverpool defender. ‘ In Scotland, the football family has stood against racism all season. It was our collective view that the national team would do the same. ‘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. For this reason, we have collectively decided to again take the knee as a team for the fixture against England at Wembley Stadium. The Scotland team stands against racism but we will kneel against ignorance and in solidarity on June 18.’

Meanwhile, Clarke believes victory against Czech Republic could be enough to take Scotland into the last 16. The Scots kick off their Group D campaign at Hampden Park on Monday, where it is likely Clarke will name an attacking lineup with Southampton’s Che Adams and QPR’s Lyndon Dykes paired in attack.

And with four of the six thirdplaced teams advancing to the second round, Clarke said it would be foolish to be cautious and settle for a point, especially with England and Croatia to come.

‘We will certainly be playing for the three points, and I am sure the Czech Republic will be as well,’ he said. ‘Three points in recent tournaments can almost guarantee you a place in the last 16. That would be a great start.’

FOOTBALL Association diversity chief Paul Elliott has delivered an impassioned plea for supporters attending tomorrow’s Euros crunch against Croatia not to boo players taking the knee.

In a powerful interview with Sportsmail, the former England Under 21 captain explained:

■ why fans contemplating jeering should stay silent.

■ his pride in hearing England manager Gareth Southgate’s passionate reasoning why his squad will continue with the gesture.

■ how he was racially abused by his own supporters after captaining England Under 21s.

■ why English football will win the fight against racism.

Both England’s pre-tournament friendlies against Austria and Romania were marred by boos and it appears certain their opener against Croatia tomorrow will be overshadowed by the same as Southgate’s men take action in what they have explained is a message of anti-discrimination.

And Elliott, the chair of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, has appealed to fans to respect the players’ decision.

‘When you’re in that environment, I don’t care what you think — I care about what you say and how you behave,’ explained Elliott, who was Chelsea’s first black captain.

‘If you are a racist and you are going to watch England versus Croatia, you can think like a racist — but don’t talk like one.

‘Imagine if they were in their own working environment and they were booed and told disparaging remarks about themselves when it wasn’t meri t e d . How would they feel about that? How would you feel if someone was booing your child or a family member with a disability? Have more consciousness, have more respect.

‘So keep that to yourself on Sunday and support your country because if you don’t want to, there are thousands of people, who are good citizens, that do.

‘We are lucky we have a new generation of players who are human — but resolute. All those players want is to do their work in a racism-free environment. Why should they be deprived of that? It doesn’t matter if you’re working in a factory or a football field.

‘ It’s against their human rights to be denied that privilege. It’s hard to understand how they think their behaviour is acceptable.’

In the aftermath of last week’s friendly against Austria, Southgate (below) received widespread acclaim for his articulate explanation of why his squad will continue taking the knee.

Elliott has been deeply impressed by the England manager’s capacity, not only as a coach, but also his ability to socially galvanise an ethnically diverse group of players — a trait the former Celtic defender says has a bigger impact than any other public figure in the country. ‘Gareth is protecting his players like a lion protects his cubs. I’m so proud England have come across a great coach but also a great human being,’ said Elliott. ‘He articulated that narrative in a very clear manner. What he said will have more impact than anyone else in this country.

‘Look at how Gareth has evolved that squad. What we have seen in English football is an unbelievable cultural transformation.

‘What’s great is the black players have giants like Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane standing alongside them — and they are fighting. That is what Gareth has galvanised.

‘In 30 years of being an activist, that has been the single biggest change (that white players are fighting alongside black players).

‘A lot of that is about the individuals themselves but a lot of that is about Gareth. He has totally revolutionised the culture of the English game.

‘You saw our black players at their greatest strength in those games against Bulgaria and Montenegro (where they were racially abused). You saw the power and resilience of Raheem Sterling, Tyrone Mings.

‘When they saw one of their own in Chris Powell standing next to Gareth Southgate that was so powerful. The way Chris imparted his experience, his guidance — he was like their big brother.

‘ Gareth gets that like no other person I know. He gets it because he has lived the journey in the dressing room and seen that happen to black players from when he was at Crystal Palace at 16.

‘He is judged on results like every football manager, but he is bigger than results.’

Despite the depressing scenes that have cast an ugly shadow over England’s preparations for the tournament, Elliott is adamant the English game will eventually conquer the threat of racism.

He believes the recent of appointment of Debbie Hewitt as the FA’s first female chair will hasten the process.

‘She will accelerate the cultural evolution inside the organisation in a way no leader can — a brilliant role model for women,’ said the 57-year-old.

But more than anything else, Elliott says the real power lies with the fans and participants who he believes will eventually self-govern abuse out of the sport.

‘Nothing breaks down barriers, brings people together, educates people like football. There’s no power like football.

‘I can say that because I’ve been on the end of the most vociferous abuse when I captained England Under 21s and been told to my face there’s no black in the Union Jack. It also happened when I played for England B.

‘It had such a profound effect on me. I played in very hostile environments in the 1980s in the UK, Italy and Scotland.

‘I have lived this journey to the full, and I’ve played in an environment where they (the racists) were the majority. But now they are the minority.

‘They are on the way out, because if you look at the quality of people inside the stadiums now, the diversity of people, more women, people of ethnic groups, people with disabilities — the game is far more inclusive than ever before.

‘ Ultimately there are too many good, sound and sensitive people that want to do right by the beautiful game — they will nullify them.

‘ They may have won the battle in the 80s and 90s but we will win in the 21st century.’

Euro 2020 The Big Kick-Off

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