Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha made good his promise as he became the first Premier League player to refuse to take a knee before football matches.
Zaha stood firm as players took a knee during Palace’s game against Westbromwich Albion on Saturday, March 13.
This came just a month after the 28-year old came out in a debatable interview to claim the practice of taking a knee was “degrading”.
Zaha, who has suffered immense racial abuse throughout his career, instead wants more solid changes instead.
Ahead of the game ahead Sam Allardyce’s side, Zaha released a statement explaining his decision to not take a knee.
“My decision to stand at kick-off been public knowledge for couple of weeks now.” he said.
“There is no right or wrong but I feel kneeling just became a part of pre-match routine and at the moment, it doesn’t matter whether we kneel or stand. Some of us still continue to receive abuse.
“I know there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes at the Premier League and other authorities to make change, and I fully respect that, and everyone involved. I also fully respect my teammates and players at other clubs who continue to take the knee.
In February, in a passionate podcast the Ivory Coast international questioned why black players should wear bands and take a knee as a way of fighting racial inequality.
“The whole kneeling down – why must I kneel down for you to show that we matter?” Zaha said.
“Why must I even wear Black Lives Matter on the back of my top to show you that we matter? This is all degrading stuff,”
