The Italian Football Federation released a statement assuring the Italy players are ‘free to choose’ whether they want to take the knee with Belgium and join the Black Lives Matter protest.
The gesture caused confusion in Italy ahead of the Wales group game at Euro 2020 when five players did take the knee, some others seemed to join in at the last second and others stayed standing.
They pledged to make a joint team decision in future and agreed that they would take the knee “out of solidarity” if the opposition team requested it.
There was even more confusion caused by this response, as the FIGC told reporters that it was not technically ‘adhering to the Black Lives Matter campaign, one we do not share.’
The issue was not relevant ahead of the Round of 16 win over Austria, because the Austrian team did not ask the referee to set aside a moment before kick-off for the gesture.
Now the FIGC has released a formal statement making clear that the matter is entirely in the hands of the players.
“The Italian Football Federation, in reaffirming its unconditional stance against racism and any form of discrimination, considered it opportune to give the team freedom to adhere to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign.
“As President Gabriele Gravina already affirmed not more than a week ago, the FIGC considers the imposition of any behaviour is in itself a form of prevarication and sustains the squad’s decision for Euro 2020 games, including against Belgium on Friday.
“The sensibility of each member of the Italian national team in defence of human rights is in the Azzurri DNA, as proven by multiple initiatives and declarations, and cannot be subordinated by the adherence to one – not the only – manifestation of support for the fight against racism.”
Several Italian politicians and members of the media have complained that taking the knee is somehow a sign of weakness or subordination.
The issue also caused controversy in England, with some of their own fans booing whenever they take the knee before a match.