Thomas Tuchel says he is on board with Marcos Alonso’s decision to stop taking a knee before matches, but revealed he didn’t consult with his teammates before choosing to break ranks.
All Premier League players began taking a knee as a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement in June 2020, but the Chelsea defender fears the gesture has lost its impact and significance.
Instead, the Spanish left-back will from now point to the ‘No To Racism’ badge on his shirt sleeve, even if his teammates continue to kneel.
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‘I am fully against racism and I’m against every type of discrimination, and I just prefer to put my finger to the badge where it says no to racism, like they do in some other sports and football in other countries,’ Alonso said, after Sunday’s win at Tottenham.
‘I prefer to do it this way and, of course, to say very clearly that I am against racism and I respect everybody.’
‘I just prefer to do it this way. It’s my way to do it, I think it’s another way. And maybe I think it’s losing a bit of strength the other way, so I just prefer to do it this way and to show I am fully supportive of fighting against racism.’
Asked for his reaction to Alonso’s decision, Tuchel said he fully supports the player in the knowledge that he is ‘1000% against racism’.
He said: ‘It’s not a discussion within the group but of course if a player takes a decision like this, we are not in a bubble of course. ‘I trust him 1000% that he is committed against racism. There is no question about it. We are all against it.
‘Marcos took his decision, and it’s a decision we accept. He gave his reasons and from here, the discussion can end, or can go on in a productive way to do more.
‘Once you do a gesture, everybody does it, it becomes normal. Maybe it lowers the effect of it. If this is [Marcos’] point, I can see it.
‘We can discuss. He is pretty aware of it. He’s experienced and responsible enough. Being against racism should be normal.
‘I understand that Marcos thinks there is more to do, this is right. We need to use the platform and possibilities we have together, performances together, by living by example.’
