The kneeling gesture comes from Colin Kaepernick (sp?). In America, it is the cultural norm to stand for the national anthem; they do it every day, even in schools. It's a mark of national pride and respect. He knelt instead, a gesture to show that he cannot share national pride whilst racism is so prevalent throughout society, especially it's political and law enforcement institutions.
In Britain and much of Europe, kneeling in this way has a totally different historic meaning; that of subservience. You bend your knee to your feudal lord or your king. This is a gesture with a heritage at least 1500 years old and is deeply ingrained in all of us, even if subconsciously. If you bend one knee to anyone, we instinctively know what that gesture means.
This is why IMO it is absolutely the wrong gesture for this country. It is one of subservience here, not protest; people see it and it connotates subservience to this cause rather than protest in favour of it.
It has no such meaning in America, who had neither kings nor the feudal system active in their nation.
Hence, it is culturally insensitive. It has been translated directly over to countries where the gestures historic meaning is totally different and opposite to the message it is meant to show. I am not surprised that so many fans instinctively dislike the gesture, even if they support the cause.
A different gesture in support of the movement would be far more appropriate and successful in the UK
