Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says Marcos Alonso is ‘absolutely committed’ against racism

Thomas Tuchel insists Marcos Alonso is committed to fighting racism, despite the Chelsea defender’s decision not to take a knee before games.

Alonso revealed this week that he believed the gesture had lost its power and now prefers to point to the anti-racism sign on Premier League shirts instead.

Tuchel backed the Spaniard’s decision, saying: “The most important thing for me is that I know Marcos personally and I trust him 1000 percent that he is absolutely committed against racism and any form of it.

“There is no question about it. We are all against it. We took the decision together to take the knee, maybe sometimes it takes an action against a routine to wake up again and have another discussion. All of us have the same point, to do the most against racism and stand up against it so there are different ways of doing it.

“Marcos took his decision, he is a grown up and responsible person. This is his position, we accept it. He gave his reasons for it and either discussions can end or go on in a productive way.”

Footballers have been taking the knee to protest against racism and discrimination – but it has proved a controversial act, with sections of various clubs’ support booing the gesture.

Other prominent players have opted against it, with Wilfried Zaha describing it as “degrading” and losing its impact.

Alonso said this week: “I am fully against racism and I’m against every type of discrimination and I just prefer to put my finger to the badge where it says No To Racism, like they do in some other sports and football in other countries.

“I just prefer to do it this way, it’s my way to do it, and maybe I think it’s losing a bit of strength the other way.”

Tuchel added: “Once you do a gesture and then everybody is doing it, then you do it so often because there are so many games it becomes normal and then maybe it lowers the effect of it.

“If this is his point then I can see his point, we can now discuss if it is necessary if he is the only guy to stand up, but I think he is aware of it.

“He is experienced enough and responsible enough and that’s the way it is. This development started with single persons taking the knee then it became a bigger thing and I think Marcos’ point is that it can’t stay like this.

“Marcos’ point is that it cannot end like this and that it cannot become normal. What should be normal is that we are all against racism and I understand that Marcos thinks there is always more to do that is also right.

“At the same time, of course we want to focus on sport, but use our platform and the possibilities we have, how we produce performances together leading by example and I think this is the most important thing.”