A former football star has claimed that it would be more effective if players "walk off the pitch" than take the knee to battle racism in the game.
It comes as it has been revealed that Premier League players will take the knee six times this season to show their commitment to fighting racism and discrimination.
Speaking to GB News, former footballer Mickey Quinn said that he didn't think this should happen "in every football game."
He said: "I don't think it should be every game of football. Some fans are not comfortable with it.
Former footballer Mickey Quinn said that players need to "walk off the pitch"
GB News
"Some fans think it's an American issue, which we know it's not. It's far deeper than that. It is about racism but if the Premier League made a statement today and said, this is about the fight against racism, I think it would clarify a few things.
He added: "There's no room for it [racism], especially in sports. Football is going to where they don't want to be, you know, berated with racist comments.
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"It's sickening really. The only solution which will affect everybody is for players to walk off the pitch and not take the knee.
"It does highlight racism and it will bring awareness.
"But I think you should just walk off the pitch and that'll solve a lot of problems because football fans will suffer because they won't be able to watch the game.
"And now the Premier League is around the world, so it will make a massive statement."
Footballers taking the knee at the beginning of the game
GB News
Players will take the knee at the Premier League’s opening and final match rounds of the season, as well as dedicated No Room For Racism fixtures in October and April, and Boxing Day fixtures.
The Premier League captains said: “We are unified in our belief that any form of discrimination has no place within football, or wider society, and are committed to using our platform to help celebrate diversity and show our support in the fight against racism.
“Therefore, we will continue to show solidarity by taking the knee at significant moments during the forthcoming season.
Players need to ‘walk off the pitch’ to solve racism issue
GB News
"Diversity is central to the success of the game and we feel strongly that people should respect others, regardless of their ethnicity or background.”
The death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed at the hands of a police officer in America in 2020 sparked worldwide outrage and weeks of protests.
England's men's and women's teams have knelt before games since 2020, initially in solidarity with protests over Floyd's death and then to battle racism and discrimination.
