England: Vunipola, Tuilagi and South African players criticized for not kneeling

In these times when social networks are the law, always quick to draw anathema and accuse those who do not like them think of the worst intentions, the resumption of the Rugby Premiership in England has been their target. Twitter lesson-givers, supported by some so-called progressive media, have not failed to list rugby players "guilty" of not having put one knee to the ground in support of the "Black Lives Matter" movement. The controversy touched Billy Vunipola and Manu Tuilagi, two English internationals respectively of Tongan and Samoan origin. Delirious when you know Tuilagi's permanent commitment against racism.

@bvunipola on Folau, his faith and not taking a knee at the weekend. pic.twitter.com/QMzVSEl8ZJ

The third-line center of the XV de la Rose, Billy Vunipola, was forced to explain why he refused to kneel to support the “Black Lives Matter” movement, before the Saracens match lost on Saturday in Bristol (16- 12). "What I saw of this movement was not what I believe in," said the 27-year-old international (50 caps), fervent Christian, to the podcast "The Good, The Bad and The Rugby". And to add, with reference to the excesses observed in the United States: “They were burning churches and Bibles. I cannot support this. Even though I am a person of color, I guess I am even more of a person of Jesus. ”

" A Storm in a Cup of Tea "

Last year, Vunipola had already sparked controversy when he "liked" the Instagram post by then Australian back Israel Folau, who said that "sinners" including drunks, atheists and homosexuals, would go to "hell" if they did not repent. The English Federation (RFU) then gave him a formal warning and the English number eight said he was happy to have stood up for his faith, but could have taken a different approach. “The way Folau got out (of this case) was very abrupt and straightforward. Sometimes the gospel is straightforward. But at the same time, we have to accept people for who they are and what they want to do with their own lives. It's not for me. Judging is for God ”, explained Billy Vunipola.

Every single one of the 8 South African Rugby players who play for Sale Sharks refused to take a knee for #BlackLivesMatter! pic.twitter.com/1KPiW8g8pq

The controversy spread, in England, to South African players. During the meeting between the Harlequins and Sale, the contingent of the Sharks, if it wore the "Black Lives Matter" t-shirt, had the arrogance not to kneel. A behavior that has, of course, exasperated good souls, accusing Faf De Klerk, Lood De Jager, Jono Ross, Akker Van der Merwe, Coenie Oostuizen as well as the brothers Jean-Luc, Daniel and Robert Du Preez of racism.

Free attacks which pushed the English players' union to crack a press release reminding us that "the way in which each of our members chooses to act in relation to this moment is a matter of personal choice". Sale's manager, Steve Diamond, quipped him, rightly comparing this controversy to "a storm in a cup of tea." Is not it…

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