During the hours leading up to Italy-Austria, the debate on whether to kneel or not to support the Black Lives Matter movement was almost more disputed than the party itself. Only five knelt against Wales azzurri And yesterday, at a press conference, Leonardo Bonucci said that the group would decide after a meeting on the eve of the confrontation.
Giorgio Chiellini, captain and absent tonight due to his muscular discomfort, explained Italy's position in ‘Rai Sport’: “There was no request from Austria, we will kneel when there is a request from the opposing team, out of solidarity and sensitivity towards the rival. We are going to fight racism in another way, with initiatives from the Federation. “
At the end, before the kick-off, none of the 22 footballers present at Wembley knelt. The Italians, then, will only do it when the rival asks for it. An ambiguous position, which rekindled the debate (and criticism) on social networks.