Marc Guéhi explains decision to applaud instead of kneel against racism

Manchester City defender Marc Guéhi has addressed his decision to opt out of the ‘taking a knee’ ritual during the Premier League’s ‘No Room For Racism’ campaign. Instead of kneeling, Guéhi chose to applaud, a gesture he has used for some time to show his support.

Guéhi stated that while he believes the campaign is ‘formidable,’ he feels that more can be done to combat racism. He noted that the issue is not exclusive to football but is a broader societal problem, suggesting that football can serve as a ‘glimmer of hope’ to spread the message. He expressed interest in working with the Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to evolve how the sport addresses these issues.

Guéhi is not alone in this approach; other players, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, have also chosen to remain standing during these designated campaign moments, with coaches noting that players express their respect in different ways.