Rio Ferdinand has applauded Gareth Southgate and his players for pledging to take a knee against in England's World Cup opener.
Southgate's side start their campaign against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday. The Three Lions took a knee throughout Euro 2020 to protest against racial discrimination and inequality, although few international teams are still following suit.
Neither Qatar nor Ecuador took a knee during the opening game of the World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, which finished in a 2-0 win to Ecuador. Iran have not confirmed whether they will also take a knee to show solidarity with their opponents.
Southgate revealed England will take a knee in his pre-match press conference on Sunday. "We have discussed taking the knee, we feel we should," said the Three Lions boss. "It is what we stand for as a team and have done for a considerable amount of time."
"We understand clubs in the Premier League do it for the big games and this is the biggest and would be a strong statement to young people around the world, that inclusivity is very important."
Southgate's quotes were shared on Twitter and Ferdinand was keen to throw his support behind the decision. The Manchester United hero wrote: "Important message... v good!"
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Many sporting teams, including the Three Lions and Premier League clubs, started taking a knee after George Floyd, an African-American man, was murdered in police custody in 2020. That incident sparked many anti-racism protests around the world.
At the beginning of the season, Premier League clubs agreed to stop taking a knee ahead of every fixture. They now make the gesture at specific moments - such as on the opening day of the campaign and for a two-week period between October 8 and 16.
England's decision to take a knee in Qatar comes after they rejected FIFA's request to wear a specific captain's armband. Global football's governing body has launched its own armband initiative to highlight various political and societal issues.
FIFA is urging nations to wear their armbands to promote environmentalism, education, healthy living, children's safety and anti-discrimination. Yet England, Wales and seven other nations will adopt OneLove armbands instead to promote diversity and inclusion.
The campaign was launched by the Netherlands prior to Euro 2020. Other nations have adopted the OneLove campaign ahead of this World Cup because same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar.
England and Wales were not made aware of FIFA's initiative until Friday - just two days before the opening game. They want to continue with the OneLove campaign because FIFA's anti-discrimination armband will not be used until the knockout rounds.
