Fansided

Burnley condemn “White Lives Matter” banner flown over Monday’s match

By Allison Cary

A banner reading 'White Lives Matter Burnley' is towed by a plane above the stadium during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on June 22, 2020. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A banner reading 'White Lives Matter Burnley' is towed by a plane above the stadium during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on June 22, 2020. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Burnley have promised lifetime bans for those involved in flying the offensive banner over Ethiad Stadium as players took the pitch wearing kits that say “Black Lives Matter.”

Since the Premier League restarted last week, players have been wearing kits with “Black Lives Matter” printed where their names would usually feature. In addition to the kits, players and staff have taken a knee before every game. The gesture is meant to show support for anti-racism protests that have swept the world in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and to reaffirm that there is no room for racism in the Premier League or anywhere else.

But not everyone agrees with the show of solidarity, and those toxic voices always manage to find a way to make themselves heard, even when fans aren’t allowed in the stadiums. On Monday night, during the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Burnley, an aircraft flew over City’s Ethiad Stadium carrying the banner “White Lives Matter Burnley.”

https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1275145076805640192?s=20

How did Burnley respond?

Burnley wasted no time condemning the banner and promising punishment for those found to have been behind it. The club came out with a strong statement during the halftime break of Monday night’s game, condemning the incident. “We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor,” the statement said, referencing Burnley’s home stadium. “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.”

“We are fully behind the Premier League’s Black Lives Matter initiative,” the statement continued. “We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter.”

Related Story. Christian Pulisic's goal in Black Lives Matter kit. light

Burnley wound up losing the match, 5-0, to Manchester City.

After the match, Burnley captain Ben Mee said he was “embarrassed and ashamed” by the banner.

Christian Pulisic had a gorgeous goal for Chelsea in Black Lives Matter jersey. dark. Next

Home/Premier League