Simon Pentol QC Examines How Football Struggles to Reconcile its Own Laws with On-Field Political Expression.

Legally, it’s a thin line between…… Football and Politics.

As part of the universal condemnation of the outrageous killing by police in Minneapolis of George Floyd, there have been wide-ranging displays of protest and solidarity from within top-flight football where so many players are of African-Caribbean origin. Numerous players (white & black) have used their individual social media platforms to send powerful anti-racism messages and clubs have posted photos of their squads ‘taking a knee’ in solidarity. These displays are ‘off-field’ and have been met with acclamation. However, it’s not so straightforward when displays of solidarity take place ‘on-field’. 25 Bedford Row’s Simon Pentol QC examines the changing attitude of the football authorities to expressions of political support that might otherwise contravene the Laws of the Game [LOTG]. Read the full article here.