Is he racist? Everton star goes against everyone
Ainsley Maitland-Niles found himself at the centre of attention before a ball had even been kicked.
Details: Everton defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles refused to take the knee before the Premier League match against Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The gesture formed part of the league's anti-racism campaign, but the 29-year-old remained standing while the other players on the pitch took part. He was the only footballer in the match not to join the gesture.
The reason behind Maitland-Niles' decision is currently unknown. Neither the player nor Everton had provided a public explanation for his refusal at the time the incident emerged, so any motive behind the decision would be speculation.
Taking the knee became one of the most recognisable anti-racism gestures in English football in 2020. Since 2022, Premier League players have no longer performed it before every fixture, with the gesture instead being used during selected match rounds and specific anti-discrimination campaigns.
It is worth noting that Maitland-Niles only joined Everton from Lyon at the beginning of September 2026. The French club confirmed the transfer for €3.5 million, while the England international signed a three-year contract with the Toffees. On his Premier League debut for Everton, he scored a spectacular stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
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Steven Perez
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