The Lancashire Police has said that it is investigating the offensive ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ banner, which was flown over the Etihad Stadium on Monday during a Premier League clash between Manchester City and Burnley.
The banner had drawn many reactions condemning the act. Burnley had in a statement as well condemned it and declared support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which began over the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer in the US.
The incident occurred shortly after kick-off, moments after both players, referees, and other clubs’ staff had taken a knee.
Burnley has said that the fans responsible for a “White Lives Matter banner” will receive lifetime bans from the club. This was stated by their chief executive Neil Hart, who was “disgusted and ashamed” by the actions of supporters who paid for the message to be flown over the Etihad Stadium.
“I was disgusted and ashamed to see that being trailed. It’s not what we stand for as a football club or as a town, and we’ll continue to fight any form of discrimination in this club but also in the community.
“Let’s be very clear, Black Lives Matter is cause players feel passionate about,” he added.
Premier League players will continue to take a knee
As part of the ways to pass the message, the Black Lives Matter logo will continue to appear on shirt sleeves for the remainder of the season; all club staff will continue to take a knee.
In the games played on Tuesday night, Premier League players and match officials continued to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, with Leicester and Brighton taking a knee in the first match of the latest round of fixtures.
Following the June 17 restart, all 20 Premier League clubs took a knee in the first round of matches, while player names were replaced by ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the back of shirts.
Following a Premier League meeting on Tuesday, players will be wearing the Black Lives Matter logo on their shirt sleeves for the remainder of the season. It is however, yet to be decided whether this will go beyond the current campaign.
