In the opinion of the sports sociologist Gunter Gebauer, the kneeling practiced at the European Football Championship should be transferred to everyday life in order to be able to develop a stronger effect.
“Symbols are signs and nothing more.
They can be quickly forgotten again.
Therefore, they have to be confirmed by actions in practice, ”said the professor emeritus for philosophy and sports sociology at the FU Berlin of the German Press Agency (dpa).
"You could actually expect those who have made this knee-fall to actively show solidarity when teammates or black people in general are disadvantaged by standing protectively in front of them," he said.
You have to look at the picture from the Germany game again.
“There are 60,000 fans in the stadium and many millions are watching on TV, and the players kneel on a large piece of lawn all by themselves for a certain time and demonstrate against the disdain for black people.
You can't downplay that.
This is real action.
But more has to follow from this than that it just remains a sign, ”said Gebauer.
Also in the football classic Germany against England (0: 2) on Tuesday evening in London's Wembley Stadium, both teams knelt down before kick-off as a sign against racism. There was a lot of applause from the stands - but also a few boos.