Wakefield Trinity players justify not taking the knee before Super League match with Wigan Warriors

Centre Reece Lyne insists that Trinity's decision to not take the knee was not a snub of support to the Black Lives Matter movement.

As Wigan players took a knee prior to yesterday's Super League fixture, the Trinity squad linked arms and stood together to show their unity in the fight against racism.

Trinity's David Fifita choose to kneel alongside Wigan player Bevan French with the Australian Aboriginal Flag draped over their shoulders.

Lyne revealed that Wakefield players opted to show support in their own way and insists that it is a choice which should be respected.

"Just to clear things up from yesterday as I am reading some crazy comments and people seemingly jumping on board thinking we were not showing support to BLM," said Lyne on social media.

"As a group we decided to show unity against racism in our own way, every person has a choice which should be respected!"

He added: "And if you're zooming in on our BAME players' faces saying we're not happy then you're wrong. We wanted to show unity and solidarity as a team against racism which as a club we are."

The majority of Super League players have taken a knee - which has become a symbol of support for those who are victims of racism - before matches, upon the competition's return.

Before their clash with Wigan, Wakefield released a statement to say that any player who opted to stand should not be "vilified" for their choice.

"Everyone at Wakefield Trinity fully supports all measures and messages devoted to improving equality, diversity and inclusion and we will confront racism, not only in rugby league but in society," read a club statement.

"How the players show that support before today's match is down to personal choice. They should not be vilified for that personal choice.

"Wakefield Trinity endorses the important message that Black Lives Matter - for us, this is about people, not politics.

"The club will not tolerate any racism within its ranks and the board, players and staff are totally united on that."

Protesters around the world have been taking a knee at demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in police custody in the United States.

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