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MARTIN SAMUEL: Taking the knee has become an empty gesture that has served its purpose and outlived its usefulness… but by only being used occasionally in the Premier League it can perhaps assume even greater power

The cause will never lose its power or meaning but the gesture? Well, the clue's in the noun.

Gesture politics, an empty gesture - we're never that happy with the concept of gestures and Premier League captains appear to have decided that this one, taking the knee as a condemnation of racism, has run its course.

It has not gone, because it is understood that some games - the biggest, most high-profile occasions - may still include the stance prior to kick-off.

This appears to be a very sensible compromise by players who have always thought more deeply about the issue than many believe.