Passionate Darren Moore talks Doncaster Rovers taking the knee after another week where racial issues in football came to the fore

Darren Moore says his Doncaster Rovers players are the ones who determine whether or not they take a knee in response to racism.
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But he himself has spoken passionately about the need for a show of protest against racial inequality both inside football and in wider society.

The issue of players taking the knee prior to kick-off in matches was brought to the fore again this week when returning supporters at Millwall booed the gesture prior to their clash with Derby County last weekend - an incident which Moore said he was ‘appalled’ by.

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Rovers have led the taking of the knee prior to each of their home matches this season, with Moore allowing them to take that decision.

Darren Moore takes the kneeDarren Moore takes the knee
Darren Moore takes the knee

“The players are the ones that want to,” he said.

“Within the club we have players from different nationalities and they’re all showing that unity and togetherness, but also outside of the club to what is going on.

“They continue to do so.

“I know from in the higher echelons of the Premier League and right the way through, they are continuing to do it.

“The messages have been clear and the support has been there for it.

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“We came at the start of the season, all together. I raised it and the players said they all wanted to stand and support.

“With that we’ve just continued showing our support against it.”

Moore is the chair of the Premier League’s Black Participants' Advisory Group and says he speaks to BAME players regularly about their experiences and the on-going drive for change within the game.

He supports the actions of the players of Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir who walked off the pitch during their Champions League clash this week after alleged racist language used by the game’s fourth official.

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And Moore feels that incident, along with that which occurred last weekend at the New Den, shows how much work is still required.

“There’s plenty of work still to be done and for the messages to go out there throughout the football fraternity which then transcends messages out into the wider community, which is where we need to be at,” he said.

“Everyone has got a part to play. It’s not just one club, it’s everyone., in terms of seeing things better and changing for the better.

“It’s not just about us, it's about generations to come.

“Everyone who hears this can be a part of this clear message in terms of making it a better place for all, not just one isolated individual.”

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Those defending the actions of the Millwall supporters last weekend suggested the booing of taking a knee was a reaction to the politics of the Black Lives Matter movement.

But Moore vehemently denied the gesture has anything to do with politics.

“The message is clear - the players taking the knee or showing the fist, it’s a stand against racial inequalities,” he said.

“It’s nothing to do with anything political.

“I’ve spoken to the players, and I do so every single day, and every single one is about standing against racial inequalities not just in football but right across the world.

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“Football is just used as a platform to show they supporting it.”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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