Palace manager Vieira reacts to PL decision, 'it's important to keep taking the knee'

After it started, it was met with mixed opinions for several reasons; one was that in doing it constantly, it might lose meaning or become diluted.

On Wednesday, the Premier League captains came to a decision that will limit taking the knee to significant matches only.

When asked about the matter ahead of his side’s clash against Arsenal, Vieira said:

"It's good to keep taking the knee, I think there will be a few occasions that the initiative will be ‘keep doing it’.

"I think it's good because we can't stop it straight away, because there is a statement to make and I believe it is important to keep taking the knee.

"We all are about [ending] discrimination so this is the fight that we will take long, and that's why I believe we still have to take the knee."

Ivory Coast international and Palace forward Wilfried Zaha eventually withdrew from taking the knee in March 2021:

"There is no right or wrong decision, but for me personally I feel kneeling has just become a part of the pre-match routine and at the moment it doesn’t matter whether we kneel or stand, some of us still continue to receive abuse." He explained.

The London side is set to cut the ribbon for the opening of the Premier League’s 2022/23 campaign as they host Arsenal on Friday.

Last time out, Vieira’s men managed to pull off a 3-0 win, one they will be hoping to recreate.

"[Arsenal] are in a better place than last year. The new players have made them much stronger. They have the squad to challenge to be closer to the title," the Palace manager insisted.

“It is really important [to play at home] and it was really successful last year as our home record was really good.

“Playing the first game at home is an advantage and I'm really looking forward to the game. The fans are excited, we are really excited and we want to start the season well to give the fans a really good performance.”