Burnley condemns ‘White Lives Matter’ banner flown over Etihad Stadium
Burnley has strongly condemned a “White Lives Matter Burnley” banner that was flown by a small plane over the Etihad Stadium ahead of their English Premier League match against Manchester City on Monday.
Since the English Premier League’s resumption last week, all players of the 20 top-flight clubs have replaced their names with the message “Black Lives Matter” on the back of their jerseys.
“We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor,” read the Burnley statement.
“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 apologize unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote ‘Black Lives Matter.'”
Manchester City won the game 5-0 to keep alive its slim hope of retaining the Premier League title.
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‘Ashamed and embarrassed’
Monday’s game was the 12th Premier League match to be played since the season resumed after it was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am ashamed and embarrassed that a small number of our fans have decided to fly that around the stadium,” Burnley defender Ben Mee told Sky Sports after the match
“These people need to come into the 21st century and educate themselves. They don’t represent what we are about, the club is about, the players are about and the majority of fans are about.
“As we were coming out we heard some whispers that it was going to happen. The club tried to stop it. I’ve heard it is a small number that have arranged this and I hope it doesn’t happen again. I don’t want to associate it with my club. I don’t want to see this in the game.”
