Exclusive

Tory MP to boycott Euro 2020 final over players taking the knee

8 July 2021, 16:24 | Updated: 9 July 2021, 10:17

Tory MP to continue England boycott over players taking the knee

By Will Taylor

Tory MP Lee Anderson is continuing boycotting England games over players taking the knee and told LBC he will be unpacking boxes instead of watching the final.

He has taken issue with the pre-match anti-racism gesture because of its perceived connection to Black Lives Matter and refused to watch their games.

Speaking to LBC, the Ashfield MP said he will carry on with the boycott, despite Gareth Southgate's side making their first major international final since the 1966 World Cup – and only their second in history.

Instead, he will check his phone for updates and cheer them on without having the momentous final on TV.

Asked what he will do on Sunday instead of watching, he told LBC: "We've just moved house. I've got plenty of work to do in my house over the weekend, lots of boxes to unpack, plenty to be getting on with… I will be supporting the team, I want them to win, I wish them all the best.

"I hope we bring it home. I've never seen England in a final in my lifetime… fair play to them, they've had a great tournament.

"They've got a great set of young players, a great manager, and I think we're going to do it."

Read more: Calls for 'unity' as England players to take the knee at Euro 2020

Read more: England beat Denmark 2-1 in thrilling match to reach Euro 2020 final

Lee Anderson: Why weren't sports people taking the knee two years ago

England players continue to take the knee before the game, a gesture that was also carried out before matches in the Premier League as a symbol against racism.

Gareth Southgate had to intervene before the tournament and explain why players made the gesture after his players were booed while doing it.

Some online even branding the gesture "Marxist". It has received a much more positive reception during the Euros.

England had never been to the final of the European Championship but on Wednesday they beat Denmark 2-1 to advance to play Italy for the trophy.

Read more: Euro 2020: Wembley steward's shocking tale of fan fake test results to get into matches

Read more: Pubs to stay open late on Sunday in case Euro 2020 final goes to extra time

Fans were filmed taking to the streets en masse to revel in the historic moment, and crowds at Wembley sang "Sweet Caroline" with the team.

But the joyous scenes embraced by millions across England have done nothing to change Mr Anderson's mind.

He insisted he does want to watch the game, and that this is the first time in his life he has not watched England.

James O'Brien clashes with caller on the booing of players taking knee

"I'm a bit lucky for them at the moment by not watching them," Mr Anderson suggested.

"I took a decision - and not just football, any sporting event where the competitors or players before the event take the knee, I couldn't support it because I see it as a divisive symbol.

"I see it as associated with Black Lives Matter, whether the players think that or not that's up to them, I've got no beef with the players really at all.

"I think they're being probably poorly advised, but I would say to people that if taking the knee is such a symbol of fighting racism in sport or in society, then why weren't the England team doing this two years ago?

"If they would have been doing this two years ago, before Black Lives Matter came to the fore, then I would be the first person to be taking the knee with them.

"But it grates a little bit with me that BLM are getting all this exposure through what I see as them being promoted through taking the knee.

"They may say that they don't mean it that way and they may not, but I have my choice."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Dorothy Chiles

Great-grandmother, 87, pictured for first time after deadly train station attack, as woman in her 20s arrested

President Donald Trump speaks on Wednesday night

Trump makes plans to meet Putin and end Ukraine war as he says 'the US wants its money back'

Exclusive
Katie Amess has spoken out about the need for an inquiry into her father's murder by an Islamist terrorist

Daughter of Sir David Amess, MP murdered by Islamist terrorist, ‘made to sign NDA’ on report into father’s death

Exclusive
Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews

Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

Josef Fritzl

Incest monster Josef Fritzl could walk free from prison next year - and expects 'cheering crowds' to greet him

Ofsted's Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver supports an extension to term times

'Time to think about school holidays': Ofsted's Chief Inspector supports extending term times

Exclusive
Angela Rayner insisted that British support for Ukraine was 'unwavering'

Rayner insists UK support for Ukraine 'unwavering' despite Trump's plan for 'immediate' peace talks with Putin

Prince William, President of BAFTA, operates a film camera as he visits the London Screen Academy in London, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)

William tries his hand at being a cameraman on visit to London film academy

President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan.

Trump and Putin 'to meet in Saudi Arabia' and 'start negotiations immediately' to end war in Ukraine

Street scene in Peckham, London, with red bus

Bus driver, 76, found guilty of killing passenger who was run over while attempting to board vehicle

Norward Road, Lambeth, the proposed LTN.

Council staff given 'wellbeing day' after attending 'stormy' neighbourhood meeting

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, shakes hands with Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey prior to a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb.

Ukraine's NATO membership plans 'unrealistic' says US - as defence secretary claims US troops won't be peacekeepers

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Officer accused of pinning down and trying to kiss soldier, 19, had been 'waiting for moment for them to be alone'

A public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks will begin 'within weeks'

Public inquiry into Nottingham attacks will begin 'within weeks', PM tells victims' families

Paul Allen.

Cagefighter guilty of Britain's largest cash robbery shot in neck in his kitchen in murder plot