Chelsea's Alonso latest Premier League player to refuse taking a knee

Marcos Alonso, a Chelsea winger, has decided not to take a knee before

fixtures because he feels the anti-racism motion is "

losing a bit of strength

." 

Since June 2020, players have taken a knee before the kick-off in Premier League matches to show support for the

Black Lives Matter

cause. 

This year, Crystal Palace striker

Wilfried Zaha

and Brentford forward

Ivan Toney

have both declined to participate in the act, claiming more should have been done to counter racism.

Instead, Alonso is now following the track and points at the Premier League's

'No Room for Racism'

logo on his sleeve as others kneel in. 

"I am fully against racism and I'm against every type of discrimination. 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."

When quizzed if his decision was a political one, Alonso added:

"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."

The 30-year-old defender, who took a knee last season, has not spoken to his Chelsea teammates about the matter.

"We haven't talked about it. We are in the changing room and we are like a family," he said. "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 that I just told you and I don't think there will be any problems. 

"For now, I prefer to point to the sleeve and that's what I will do."

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