Football Condemns ‘white Lives Matter’ Banner
Premier League side Burnley issued swift condemnation of a banner flown over the Etihad Stadium during the side’s 5-0 defeat to Manchester City.
A plane was pictured above the ground trailing a banner which read ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ after kick off in the match – and just after all of the players from both clubs took the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign.
In a statement released at half time, the club reaffirmed its commitment to the Premier League’s support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
The statement said: “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.
“We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter.”
After the match, Burnley captain Ben Mee echoed his club’s sentiments, commenting that he was ‘ashamed and embarrassed’ of the banner bearing the club’s name.
He said: “I’m ashamed and embarrassed that a small number of our fans have decided to put that around the stadium.
“They have completely missed the point and there’s a group of lads in there [the dressing room] who are embarrassed to see that.
“It’s not what we are about at all and has missed the whole point of what we’ve achieved and what we’re trying to do.
“These people need to educate themselves – as a lot of us do – and, like I said, it completely missed the point of the whole thing we’re trying to achieve.
“It does not represent what we’re about, the club’s about, the players are about and what the majority of fans are about, I’m sure. It’s a small minority of people and I’m really upset that happened.
“I’m ashamed and upset it’s associated with our club – my club – and it’s not something we want to see at all in the game. We totally condemn it and are embarrassed by it.”
Football equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out also reaffirmed its commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the banner.
Sanjay Bhandari, Chair of Kick It Out said: “Fighting for equality requires addressing injustice – imbalances that plague our society and prevent everyone from receiving fair treatment.
“The point of Black Lives Matter is not to diminish the importance of other people’s lives. It is to address an imbalance and highlight that black people are being denied certain human rights simply by virtue of the colour of their skin.
“It is about equality. We shall continue to support the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for greater equality for all in football.”
