Many players across countries have taken a knee as part of anti-racism gestures sparked by the death of an African-American, George Floyd who died after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after stopping moving and pleaded for air
According to reports, Premier League players could wear “Black Lives Matter” messages on their jerseys when the competition resumes next week.
The clubs on Thursday during a conference discussed how players can use games to join growing calls to eradicate racial injustice in society following the police killing of Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.
Although an agreement is yet to be reached on the plans for the messages on kits ahead of the league restarting on Wednesday after over three months hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, clubs could have the National Health Service logo appearing on jerseys as well.
Players including the ones from the Premier League teams have been pictured this week in training taking a knee as part of anti-racism gestures sparked by the death of Floyd.
Black Lives Matter to replace player’s names
British media also reported that English Premier League players will pay tribute to worldwide anti-racism movements by wearing “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts on their back during the opening round of fixtures instead of their usual surname. Apart from that, the BLM logo will reportedly be displayed on the front.
Clubs will further pay another respect with one minute’s silence for those who have died during the COVID-19 pandemic and there would be a heart-shaped badge on their kits in honor of NHS and frontline staff during the crisis.
Actions resume in the Premier League on June 17, with Arsenal traveling to Man City. UK already recorded over 41,000 deaths from the deadly virus.
Although the laws of the game prohibit any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images on matchday equipment, but the English Football Association has said it would apply common sense when assessing the context of on-field messages.
This is a new stance adopted by FIFA after players in the German league had “Justice for George Floyd” messages on – or under – their jerseys.
