Chelsea
defender Marcos Alonso says he will no longer take a knee before matches as
he believes the anti-racism gesture is "losing strength".
The Spanish left-back says he will instead point to the Premier League 'No
Room for Racism' badge on his sleeve, while other players kneel ahead of
kick-off.
Since the Premier League resumed in the summer of 2020 after a
coronavirus-enforced break, players, officials and staff at games have been
taking a knee before kick-off to show support for the movement for racial
equality.
"I am fully against racism and I'm against every type of discrimination, and
I just prefer to put my finger to the badge where it says no to racism, like
they do in some other sports and football in other countries," Alonso said.
"I prefer to do it this way and, of course, to say very clearly that I am
against racism and I respect everybody."
Asked whether or not his decision to stop taking the knee had anything to do
with politics, Alonso said: "I don't know, I just prefer to do it this way.
It's my way to do it, I think it's another way.
"And maybe I think it's losing a bit of strength the other way, so I just
prefer to do it this way and to show I am fully supportive of fighting
against racism."
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha became the first top-flight player to
opt out of the gesture, earlier this year, after stating his belief that
taking a knee is "degrading".
Alonso, who was speaking to the media following Chelsea's victory over
Tottenham on Sunday, said he had not discussed his decision with any of his
Chelsea team-mates, several of whom have been victims of racial abuse.
Reece James, Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante and Romelu Lukaku have all faced
abuse in recent years, with England defender James temporarily deleting his
Instagram account earlier this year due to the scale of online abuse.
"No, we haven't talked about it," Alonso said.
"We are in the changing room and we are like a family. I have a very good
relationship with everyone, I love everyone and up to now we haven't talked
about it. I don't think there is a need to, but, of course, if I have to
speak to anyone, I will say the same thing I just told you and I don't think
there will be any problems."
Alonso confirmed he intends to maintain his stance for the rest of the
season, adding: "Yeah, for now I prefer to point to the sleeve and that's
what I will do."
The 30-year-old, who had fallen out of favour at Chelsea under Frank Lampard
before Thomas Tuchel's arrival last season, has made a strong start to the
2021/22 campaign, starting all five Premier League games ahead of England
defender Ben Chilwell.
The high regard in which Tuchel holds Alonso was highlighted by the former
Bolton and Sunderland defender being given the captain's armband as Chelsea
beat Aston Villa earlier this month.
Sunday's 3-0 win at Spurs maintained the European champions' unbeaten start
to the season, during which they have claimed four wins and a draw from a
tough opening schedule.
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