Sources in the Italy camp claim they will take the knee if the other team does so out of ‘solidarity,’ albeit still believing ‘racism should be fought in a different way.’
The debate has dominated the build-up to Saturday’s Euro 2020 Round of 16 fixture with Austria at Wembley Stadium.
Leonardo Bonucci said in his press conference today that the team had not yet held its meeting to discuss whether all the players would take the knee or if they would all stand.
It came after five players joined in with the Wales squad in their group game, others remained standing, and a couple knelt at the last moment.
The meeting did take place at the hotel this evening and a source from the Italy camp spoke to both news agency ANSA and Sky Sport Italia.
It’s now confirmed that Austria have not requested a moment before kick-off to take the knee from UEFA, so there will be no pause from referee Anthony Taylor.
However, “going forward in the competition, if there should be a team that wants to do this, the Azzurri group will join in out of solidarity and sensibility, albeit maintaining the conviction that racism should be fought in a different way.”
The response from the Italy camp effectively pleases everyone and nobody, as it sees them join in with the gesture while at the same time insisting they believe it is ineffective.