Patrick van Aanholt prepared to take a knee when Premier League resumes
The Dutch full-back is willing to make a statement and insists everybody must “come together”
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Your support makes all the difference.Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt is ready to take a knee before his Premier League return against Bournemouth on June 20.
Video footage showed a white police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, for nearly nine minutes before he died on May 25, sparking outrage and protests around the world.
Bundesliga players have adopted the gesture made by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and Van Aanholt, 29, has announced his commitment to using his platform to continue spreading the message for social change.
"I'm prepared to do it, 100 per cent. They've done it in Germany and Premier League teams have done it in training. We have a platform and as a global sport, we have to come together," Aanholt told Sky Sports.
The Dutch full-back reaffirmed Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling's calls for more coaching opportunities for ethnic minorities, but admits he does not plan to pursue management following retirement.
"I don't know if I want to be a coach yet. Ashley Cole is trying. Clarence Seedorf got his badges then got sacked at AC Milan. Many black coaches have to start from the bottom and again, I don't know why," Aanholt added.
The Premier League will restart on June 17 after a three-month stoppage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Palace are 11th in the standings.
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