Vincent Kompany Expresses Disappointment Over Booing of Taking the Knee Gesture at Burnley vs Manchester City Match
Vincent Kompany, former Manchester City captain, has expressed his disappointment after the taking of the knee pre-game gesture was met with boos from a section of the crowd during Burnley’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Despite a positive performance, Burnley, who were newly promoted, fell to a defeat against last season’s treble winners at Turf Moor.
The match saw a first-half brace from Erling Haaland, last season’s golden boot winner, and a goal from Rodri. However, the focus shifted away from the game itself when both sets of players took the knee as a demonstration against racism in football. Unfortunately, this powerful gesture was met with boos from sections of the crowd.
Kompany, who is of mixed heritage, expressed his disappointment over the incident. He stated, “Let’s be honest, this is not something new. It is not something that has happened for the first time, so of course I cannot be happy with it. I’m not.” He further added, “The color of my skin should make it clear why, in the end, the amount of people that booed is a lot less than it used to be. I believe in working together and that in time these people are part of our family no matter what. We have to change mentalities.”
While Kompany acknowledged that the number of people booing has decreased over time, he emphasized that it is still not good enough. He believes that progress needs to be made in eradicating racism from football and society as a whole.
In addition to the booing incident, Burnley also had to address another issue during the match. City defender Rico Lewis was allegedly hit by a missile thrown from the crowd in the first half. Burnley issued a statement condemning the incident, stating, “We are aware of an incident that happened in the first half of the match where a missile was thrown at Manchester City player Rico Lewis. This is unacceptable. The person responsible has been identified and removed from the ground by police. Any individual found guilty of throwing missiles within the stadium will receive a banning order.”
Kompany, when asked about the incident, expressed his disapproval, saying, “I have not seen it. Don’t throw anything on the pitch, it is as simple as that. I don’t care who it is, but I am honestly not aware of it.”
These incidents highlight the ongoing issue of racism in football and the need for continuous efforts to combat it. Taking the knee has become a powerful symbol of solidarity against racism, and it is disheartening to see that some sections of the crowd still respond with boos. However, it is important to acknowledge that progress has been made, and the number of people booing has decreased.
Football clubs and authorities must continue to take a strong stance against racism and ensure that appropriate actions are taken against individuals who engage in such behavior. It is crucial to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all players and fans, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
The incident involving the missile thrown at Rico Lewis further emphasizes the need for stricter security measures within stadiums. Such actions not only endanger the players but also tarnish the reputation of the club and its supporters. It is essential for clubs to work closely with law enforcement agencies to identify and punish those responsible for such acts.
In conclusion, the booing of the taking of the knee gesture at the Burnley vs Manchester City match highlights the ongoing issue of racism in football. Vincent Kompany expressed his disappointment over the incident and emphasized the need for change in mentalities. The incident involving a missile thrown at Rico Lewis further underscores the importance of ensuring player safety and taking strict action against individuals who engage in such behavior. Football clubs and authorities must continue their efforts to eradicate racism from the sport and create an inclusive environment for all.