The report says Guehi chose not to take the knee during a Premier League fixture supporting the No Room for Racism campaign, instead applauding while teammates and opponents made the gesture.
He reportedly welcomed the league’s continued work but called for its message to evolve.
“Whether more can be done - more can always be done,” Guehi said, according to the report. “We have to see how we can move the campaign along.”
That position does not amount to rejecting the campaign. It reflects a concern shared by some players that a gesture can lose impact when it becomes routine, particularly if it is not matched by education, accountability and meaningful institutional change.
Guehi reportedly said he has not taken the knee for some time, adding: “Maybe. I haven't been taking the knee for a while now, to be honest. I'd always clap, just because of what that actually signifies.”
That distinction matters. Anti-racism initiatives need visibility, but players may express solidarity in different ways. Leeds manager Daniel Farke made a similar point after Dominic Calvert-Lewin remained standing, saying: “Dom is more or less like, ‘No, I don't go down. I show my respect by standing up.’”
The challenge is ensuring personal choices do not become a substitute for collective responsibility.
Guehi’s strongest argument is that football’s influence should be used beyond matchday ceremonies. Clubs can strengthen reporting processes, confront abuse online and create clearer pathways into the game for under-represented communities.
Attention now turns to Manchester City’s next fixture, but the wider storyline will continue long after the campaign’s designated rounds. The question is whether football can give its anti-racism message fresh meaning - and back it with action when the cameras are gone.