Farke explains why Calvert-Lewin stood during Leeds’ anti-racism gesture

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says Dominic Calvert-Lewin chose to remain standing rather than kneel before the club’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Players have been taking a knee before matches as part of an anti-racism campaign in support of equality in football and sport.

Farke said Calvert-Lewin’s decision was a personal way of showing his support for the initiative.

“Dominic says, ‘No, I will not give in. I show my respect by standing,’” Farke said after the match.

“Everyone is different and shows their respect for this campaign in different ways. Dominic shows his respect by standing. It is certainly a good campaign to support football and sport through actions such as these.”

Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds after moving from Everton and started against Manchester United, with the Yorkshire club claiming a point after the two sides shared two goals.

Farke also said the way players with different backgrounds worked together at Leeds demonstrated the values he believes should apply more widely.

“The dressing room is a perfect example of how we live together,” he said. “Different passports, languages and religions, but they are all human beings and friends working together to achieve one goal.

“That is how the world should be.”

Leeds remain seventh in the Premier League table on 10 points, while Manchester United are 13th with seven points after seven matches.

Calvert-Lewin was among the players who did not take the knee in the Premier League this week. The source article described five players as having declined to kneel, but listed six names: Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s Maitland-Niles, Ipswich Town’s Issa Diop, Manchester City’s Marc Guehi, and Bournemouth players Ryan Vitor and Tyler Adams.

The gesture has been used before kick-off as part of the league’s anti-racism campaign, although players have expressed their support in different ways. Farke said the important point was that the squad continued to stand together despite individual choices over how to demonstrate that support.