Bournemouth join Brentford in no longer taking the knee before games, as Championship side say ‘gesture has run its course’

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Bournemouth have joined fellow Championship rivals Brentford in deciding to no longer take the knee before matches.

The pre-match gesture in support of the Black Lives Matter movement has been a constant part of football since games resumed in June after the first coronavirus lockdown.

Bournemouth’s squad will no longer take the knee before matches

Racist abuse of footballers has been widespread in recent weeks, but the Bournemouth squad feel the gesture has ‘run its course’ and is no longer having the effect that it originally did.

A statement from Bournemouth captain Steve Cook said: “Following discussions between the squad and with senior staff members, we have decided to no longer take the knee before games, starting this weekend against Queens Park Rangers.

“At all levels, this club prides itself on its work around equality, diversity and inclusion and as a group of players we fully embrace this.

“We all strive to ensure that AFC Bournemouth is a club which welcomes anyone, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality or religion.

“Fighting all forms of discrimination and creating an equal, inclusive society is something that we feel very passionately about.

“But that is defined by much more than a gesture, which we feel has run its course and is no longer having the effect it first did eight months ago.

“Since football restarted last June we have taken the knee before every fixture. Instead, we will now stand before games; just as we stand together with our team mates who have suffered racial abuse and as we stand with anyone who is subjected to any form of discrimination.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is on the verge of becoming the new Bournemouth manager after the Championship club requested permission from Montreal Impact to talk to the Frenchman.

Thierry Henry looks to have beaten his former Arsenal teammate Patrick Vieira to the Bournemouth job

talkSPORT understands Bournemouth hope to appoint Henry, the Arsenal legend currently in charge of MLS side Montreal Impact, next week.

Jonathan Woodgate has been in caretaker charge following Jason Tindall’s sacking and has overseen two wins in his first three matches in charge of the Cherries.

It is thought the south-coast club, who are currently in the play-off positions, want a young, upcoming manager with big-name status, as the likes of John Terry and Patrick Vieira were linked with the vacant role.

However, it appears Henry has won the race and his appointment is beginning to look like a formality.

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