Luton players will now stand in the middle circle, rather than taking a knee in this new season. The club made the decision after being concerned that the gesture was "misrepresented" as a political statement.Luton players won't take a knee in front of games because they are afraid it will be misinterpreted as a political statement.Luton players will choose to stand in the middle circle before matches during the 2021/22 seasonThe club confirmed that Luton players would not be kneeling before matches in the 2021/22 season.Players unanimously agreed to the decision. The club fears that the gesture may have been misrepresented as a political statement.The Championship side will be standing together in the center circle before their games. They will respect other clubs' decision to continue to take a stance.Image: Luton's team was united in refusing to kneel.A Luton club statement stated: "We can confirm our players have made a unanimous decision not to take the knee before matches in the 2021/22 season.""The squad discussed in detail the pros and cons of continuing the gesture and feel that their intention to make a visual symbol of support for the fight against injustice, racism, and inequality has been misrepresented as an underlying political statement.They don't want this gesture to be a cause for negativity and plan to stand together in the centre circle to support all teams that choose to do so."We ask supporters to respect the decisions made by our players and our opponents. Luton Town Football Club will continue to fight discrimination.Image: The EFL has offered their support to anyone who wishes to continue taking a knee in this season's new seasonWe encourage supporters to show respect and report any abuses that might occur during, after, or before a match."There is no place for any form or prejudice in football or society, so our excitement about the return of football must be matched only by our determination to fight racism and other forms of discrimination."The Hatters will open their league campaign against Peterborough on Saturday at Kenilworth Road.The English Football League has pledged support to any player, staff member or employee who wants to take a knee in the lead up to games this season.Players from all 20 Premier League clubs will take a knee during the new season. However, Brentford striker Ivan Toney won't be taking a knee and will instead choose to stand.Brentford, who had stopped kneeling in February because they feared the gesture was not being understood, will now kneel for the first Premier League season.
