Romelu Lukaku calls for stronger action to fight racism

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London – Romelu Lukaku says football must take ‘stronger’ action in the fight against racism, questioning the impact of players who kneel before Premier League games.

Lukaku’s Chelsea teammate Marcos Alonso explained his decision to stop making the gesture earlier this week, instead deciding to stand up and point the ‘No to Racism’ badge on his shirt.

Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha stopped taking the knee last season, calling it “degrading” and choosing to stand instead.

Belgium international Lukaku understands these views, pointing to continued online abuse targeting black players.

“I think we can take stronger positions, basically,” Lukaku told CNN Sport.

“Yes, we take the knee, but at the end everyone applauds but sometimes after the game you see another insult. “

Lukaku wants top players to sit down with social media bosses and other stakeholders to help tackle the issue of racism on their platforms.

“The captains of each team, and four or five players, like the great personalities of each team, should have a meeting with the CEOs of Instagram and governments and the FA (Football Association) and PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association), and we should just sit around the table and have a big meeting about it, ”Lukaku said.

“I think we all have a great meeting together and are talking about things that need to be addressed to protect the players.

“If you want to stop something, you really can do it.”

Lukaku spoke to CNN Sport about the launch of Chelsea’s ‘No To Hate’ photography competition, which encourages club fans around the world to submit their photos that show the diversity within the Chelsea community.

“I think right now, from the owner to us, the players, us as a club, we are really making a statement and taking a stand that this stuff should not be tolerated,” said Lukaku.

Earlier in the week, Alonso said the anti-racist move “is losing some strength.”

“I’d rather do it that way (showing the badge) and of course make it very clear that I’m against racism and respect everyone,” Alonso said after Sunday’s 3-0 victory in Premier League in Tottenham.

“I think it loses a bit of force the other way around, so I prefer to do it that way.”

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he trusted Alonso to be “absolutely committed against racism” and agreed that the gesture of taking the knee had become routine and lacked the effect it had first.

“Isn’t it always like this?” Once you make a move, then everyone else does. Once you do it so often it becomes normal and maybe it reduces the effect, ”Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.

“Maybe sometimes it takes action against routine to wake up again and have another good talk, which can only go one way, because we all have the same point – standing up against (racism) . “

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