GB News star Guto Harri wanted to show his support to the England footballers who were targeted by racists online.
Taking a stand, he lunged from his seat and took to the knee while declaring that he “now gets” the purpose of making the gesture at the start of every football match.
There has been much debate about taking to the knee in recent times – however, following England’s defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, it has never been more relevant.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were all appointed by England manager Gareth Southgate to take penalties for their country in the intense final.
(Image: GB News)
Unfortunately, the Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was on fine form and managed to do his job of keeping the ball out of the net well.
This sparked vile racial hate online which was angled towards the three players who had not scored.
Guto was outraged after seeing the disgusting comments on social media that he admitted he “gets it,” showing solidarity by taking to the knee himself.
(Image: GB News)
Speaking to his co-star Mercy Muroki, he said: “I’ll tell you where I am, I’ve never understood why people would find it offensive.
“I can see and I tended to be one of those people that thought, ‘do we really have to do this at every football match, can’t we just enjoy whatever sport we’re in too?'”
He went on: “But having seen over the past few days just how close to the surface, just how deep-rooted, just how hideously ugly racism among some England fans is, I totally get why this squad throughout thought we have to say, day in, day out, that racism is not on.
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
“And I actually with the benefit of hindsight, I may have underestimated how close to the surface the racism still is, I actually get it.”
England continued to take to the knee before each kick-off during the Euro 2020 competition in a stand against racial inequality.
The racist messages have since been widely condemned by the likes of Prince William, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Gareth Southgate and yesterday England team captain Harry Kane also sent a stern message too.
Taking to Twitter to defend his teammates, he wrote: “They deserve support and backing, not the vile racist abuse they’ve had since last night.
“Three lads who were brilliant all summer had the courage to step up and take a pen when the stakes were high.
“If you abuse anyone on social media you’re not an England fan and we don’t want you.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
