Those taking the knee or those who insist that to do so is helping to “undermine our way of life”? As it happens, if, in some other universe, I somehow found myself in the England team, I would not take the knee. Beyond the inanities and hypocrisies of the debate are, however, more profound issues, not least the untangling of the relationship between sport and politics. Whether football or basketball, cricket or gymnastics, social and political contexts shape both the sport and our response to it. For, yes, it is quite possible to separate sporting tribalism from political posturing, even as we recognise the relationship between politics and sport.

Source: The Guardian June 13, 2021 06:01 UTC