Monty's Spin On: 'Taking the knee' – It must be more than a 'fashionable token'

Ex-England cricketer Monty Panesar has a regular column for one of our sister sites, Twickenham Nub News. This week, he discusses the upcoming fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder III.

I support taking the knee – it has had a powerful impact on sports fans and the public.

But, my concern is the danger of this gesture becoming a fashionable token if it is not matched with meaningful action.

We have reached a point where sports administrators and others must clearly demonstrate they are delivering change through practical action and investment.

Those who fail to do so should be highlighted and made accountable.

The decision – just announced - by Formula One to stop drivers taking the knee on the race grid may be controversial, particularly given Lewis Hamilton's outspoken stance in challenging racism.

However, it is important to see that, at the same time, F1 is offering a new and enhanced programme to support diversity and inclusivity.

Specifically, this includes extra funding for the Formula One Engineering Scholarship program for diverse groups over the next four years.

The Engineering Scholarship supports 10 students to study engineering degrees at top universities in the UK and Italy. Given the sport's enormous wealth, it can be hoped that this is the start of a much more ambitious approach.

Separately, F1's branding 'We Race As One' will be promoted at each race. The campaign was launched in 2020 as a platform for Formula 1 to come together and attain results against the most significant issues facing the world of sports.

The Euro 2020 football tournament was an important moment for promoting the principle that black lives matter.

The fact that England manager, Gareth Southgate, endorsed his players' decision to take the knee – despite dissent from some quarters - sent a clear message to the nation.

Sport has a big role to play. And I feel we have got to a stage where sports organisations need to develop strategies to create more opportunities for people from under represented backgrounds.

It would be a good start if the governing bodies of other sports developed a similar model to the approach at F1 with new funding for coaching and skills.

The decision by F1 to stop drivers taking the knee may well be difficult for Lewis, who – as the only black driver on the grid – has championed the need to bring in people from all colours, walks of life, cultures and background.

It is important to remember that drivers in the sport were far from united in deciding how best to challenge discrimination. Some, including Max Verstappen, chose to support the cause in other ways.

At the time, Lewis said: "I don't think it's the most important thing for everyone to kneel. It is what we do in the background that counts, making a positive change."

I am sure that Lewis will continue to take the knee on raceday, even if it not officially sanctioned as part of the grid schedule.

He should be celebrated for his determination to challenge discrimination in sport and create pathways for ethnic minorities, which is now delivering real results.