What’s taking the knee and why is it important?

England’s footballers will take the knee at their World Cup matches in Qatar.

Taking the knee has spread across the sporting world as a statement against racism.

The practice of taking the knee before football matches became widespread in 2020.

England’s men’s and women’s teams adopted taking the knee, including during the European Championships that took place in the summers of 2021 and 2022.

Premier League players also took the knee before matches following football’s return from the Covid-19 shutdown in the summer of 2020.

It was then decided ahead of the start of this season to use specific moments throughout the season to take the knee rather than making the gesture at every match.

Several Conservative politicians have said they oppose kneeling because they see it as a political statement.

Before Euro 2020, the then Home Secretary Priti Patel said that she did not support “people participating in that type of gesture politics”.

Downing Street has said it will respect the decisions of teams on taking the knee during this World Cup.

American footballer Colin Kaepernick took the knee during the national anthem before a match in 2016. He said he could not stand to show pride in the flag of a country that oppressed black people.

The anti-racist statement has since become a prominent symbol in sport and during protests.

It has also been a feature of Black Lives Matter protests, including those following the murder of George Floyd.