WSL players will resume taking the knee this season, reversing the Lionesses' suspension of the gesture after racist abuse targeted defender Jess Carter. The 27-year-old was subjected to online abuse, and the first arrest in the case was made on Thursday. After talks with club captains, the WSL decided not to abandon the pre-match protocol introduced five years ago and will brief clubs before the season starts. The league plans a targeted approach similar to the Premier League, concentrating the gesture on selected fixtures rather than every game to preserve impact and underscore commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Women's Super League players will resume taking the knee this season after England's Lionesses abruptly stopped performing the symbolic gesture at last month's European Championship. England's players announced they would no longer be taking the knee before their semi-final against Italy because of the racist abuse aimed at Jess Carter during the tournament. The 27-year-old defender was targeted online by several individuals, with the first of what is expected to be several arrests in the case made on Thursday.
But the Guardian has learned that the WSL has decided, after talks with club captains in recent days, not to abandon the pre-match protocol it introduced five years ago. Almost all of England's Euro 2025 squad play in the WSL. Carter whose club, Gotham FC, are in the US is among the exceptions. The WSL is expected to brief clubs on plans next week, before the season begins with the champions, Chelsea, facing Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
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