Billy Grant appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to talk about his experience in Middlesbrough for the England game which saw a small section of fans boo England players taking the knee
A few minutes before the match as some fans started booing, one fan was challenged by England fans in his vicinity. They told him his aggression and booing was making them feel uncomfortable and asked him to stop – which then saw him start to get aggressive with everyone around him
England supporters hold booing fan back from supporters who expressed unhappiness with the booing
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But is it right (and timely) to express their views in this way at a match when the majority of people just want to come and watch the game?
And more to the point, is it right that the  players – and just as importantly the fans – are subjected to such venomous hate at a football match?
The claim that the knee is political. It’s a well documented fact that Martin Luther King took the knee back in 1965 in Selma in and around the protests on black voting rights and violence against blacks.
Martin Luther King take the knee in Selma, USA in 1965
Is racism really politics? Or is it just an excuse spouted by some to condone their actions?
Billy talks about this plus more on the BBC Radio 5 show
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
CastBox
Acast
TuneIn
Google Podcasts
@billythebee99 What a time for your phone to Cut you off when you were on a roll !
Hi Billy,
loving all the podcasts at this great time for all Bees.
I also think your and others speaking up against the booing of players taking the knee is really important. Below is a message from Michael Bradley co convenor of Stand Up To Racism. SUTR are putting out a statement. Please read it and if you agree send your support to the email in the message.
Cheers, Hugh
Hi everyone
We’re circulating an updated #TakeTheKnee statement (below) aiming to go public on Friday.
Please circulate to key supporters who might be interested in signing.
Shaka Hislop, Kevin Courtney, Claudia Webbe, Shavanah Taj, Pete Hain and others have already signed.
Obviously if we can get prominent football fans at your club to sign that’d be great.
Please email the names of signatories to [email protected]
Thanks a lot
Statement
We express our solidarity with those teams who show their opposition to racism by taking the knee at the 2021 Euros. We believe Boris Johnson should have forcefully condemned the booing of England players by a small minority of so-called supporters at the recent friendlies.
Johnson’s statement said he “fully respects the right of those who choose to peacefully protest and make their feelings known” and “on taking the knee, specifically, the prime minister is more focused on action rather than gestures’.
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith repugnantly compared taking the knee to England footballers performing the Nazi salute during a 1938 match with Germany. Another Tory MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire has stated he will boycott England games because of Take The Knee. Johnson failed to condemn these MPs which is giving succour to the far right.
A host of right wing figures including former UKIP leader Nigel Farage & former actor and right wing politician Lawrence Fox have joined in the attacks on the players, England’s manager Gareth Southgate and BBC pundit Gary Lineker who has publicly opposed the booing and supported the teams anti-racist stance.
Now videos are circulating calling for protests against taking the knee at Wembley stadium coinciding with England’s first game against Croatia on Sunday. These videos are being promoted by fascist thug Tommy Robinson and others.
We reject attempts by the far right using football to build support. We stand in solidarity with all teams who choose to #TakeTheKnee in support of #BlackLivesMatter and in opposition to racism. We call on all fans to show their solidarity with their teams taking the knee before kick off by applauding the players.