A PLANE carrying a message “White Lives Matter Burnley” has flown over the Etihad during their clash with Manchester City.
The distasteful incident came just moments after all players took a knee in solidarity for the global Black Lives Matter movement.
Burnley have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
A statement read: “Burnley Football Club strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the aircraft and offensive banner that flew over The Etihad Stadium on Monday evening.
“We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor.
“This, in no way, represents what Burnley Football Club stands for and we will work fully with the authorities to identify those responsible and issue lifetime bans.
“The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning Community scheme, and stands against racism of any kind.
“We are fully behind the Premier League’s Black Lives Matter initiative and, in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at kick-off at Manchester City.
“We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter.”
Prem stars have also been wearing Black Lives Matters messages on the back of their shirts since the league’s restart.
The movement was initiated following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin.
It sparked huge protests across America that have spread across the world.
The banner was greeted with fury after the image was shared across social media.
One simply commented: “Idiots.”
Another added: “What an absolute disgrace.”
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent added: “Strange considering Burnley have NO black players in there squad at all.”
NFL star Colin Kaepernick was the first sports star to take a knee – doing so during the American national anthem – to take a stand against racism and inequality in the US in 2016.
Last week Man City boss Pep Guardiola revealed his anger at how black people had been treated for centuries after his side beat Arsenal.
Calling for more to be done in the fight for equality he said: “White people should say sorry for the way we have treated black people for 400 years. I am ashamed.
“We should send a thousand million messages for the black people.
“I’m embarrassed and ashamed of what the white people have done for the black people.
“How people can think they are different? All the gestures are good and positive. Everything we can do to make it conscious, it is not acceptable.
“We have to do a lot of things for the black people which we have not done so far.”
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By: Richard Forrester
Title: ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ banner flown over Etihad in Man City clash moments after players take knee for BLM movement
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11927897/white-lives-matter-burnley-banner-plane-man-city/
Published Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 20:07:02 +0000
