Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed the England squad’s collective decision to take the knee prior to their Euro 2021 matches this summer.
Despite strong appeals by head coach Gareth Southgate, England supporters continued to boo the gesture of solidarity ahead of England’s final warm-up match against Romania last weekend.
Asked whether Johnson supported the players’ protests, a spokesman said the Prime Minister “fully respects” their right to “make their feelings known” and added: “I would want all England fans to be respectful in any football match and, as I have said, he respects the right of those who want to peacefully protest in this way.”
More follows…