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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Peter Walker Political correspondent

‘Perfectly legitimate’ for England players to take knee at World Cup, says minister

England players take the knee before  the start of the Euro 2020 championship quarter-final match against Ukraine and England in July 2021.
England players take the knee before a Euro 2020 championship quarter-final match against Ukraine in July 2021. Photograph: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

A senior UK cabinet minister has said it is “perfectly legitimate” for England players to take the knee at the World Cup to protest against inequality, emphasising the apparent change in attitude towards the stance by some Conservative politicians.

England will take the knee before their match against Iran on Monday, although Harry Kane will not wear the “OneLove” rainbow captain’s armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights, over concerns this could bring an instant yellow card.

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