On Monday evening, during a Manchester City v. Burnley match, a plane towing a ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ banner flew over the stadium.
What We Know:
- Since the Premier League resumed on June 17 after a 100-day hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, all players have worn “Black Lives Matter” across the back of their shirts to show support for the fight towards racial equality and the protests that began in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd. The shirts also have a Black Lives Matter patch in addition to a patch for the United Kingdom National Health Service to commemorate the organization’s work during the coronavirus outbreak.
- In addition to the shirts, players have been partaking in a moment of silence prior to kick-off, while also taking a knee on the opening whistle to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The players released a joint statement condemning racism, saying “We, the Players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for All, regardless of their color or creed.”
- The League released a statement in support of the players, including announcing their support for players who ‘take a knee’ before or during matches, saying, “The Premier League believes there is no room for racism, anywhere #NoRoomForRacism.”
- Shortly following the start of Monday evening’s match between second-place Manchester City and eleventh-place Burnley, moments after the players finished kneeling, a plane was spotted overhead carrying a banner that read “White Lives Matter Burnley” which circled overhead for the first moments of the game.
- Immediately fans took to social media to condemn the message.
A plane has just flown over the Man City V Burnley game with a banner that says “White lives matter – Burnley.”
An absolute disgrace.
— Freddie (@FreddieBailey96) June 22, 2020
Imagine being so upset players are taking a knee to fight for other human’s rights that you make a banner and rent a plane to try and say your life matters. This country is done. pic.twitter.com/T8dgSkoqwk
— Elliot Hackney (@ElliotHackney) June 22, 2020
Whoever’s put that plane banner in the air has no place at Turf Moor. Backwards, disgusting, embarrassing. Get out of our club.
— Amy (@amywiseman22) June 22, 2020
- Burnley Football Club released an official statement at half-time denouncing the message, saying, “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. 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.”
- Burnley’s captain, Ben Mee, said he felt ashamed and embarrassed of supporters who organized the banner to be flown over the stadium. Saying in a post-game interview with Sky Sports, “It’s missed the whole point of what we’re trying to achieve and these people need to come into the 21st century and educate themselves as a lot of us do. It doesn’t represent what we’re about, what the club is about, what the players are about, and what the majority of the fans are about.” Later adding, “We are embarrassed that our name was in it, that they tried to attach it to our club – it doesn’t belong anywhere near our club.”
“I’m ashamed and embarrassed”
Burnley’s Ben Mee responds to an offensive banner flown over the Etihad Stadium before today’s game with Man Citypic.twitter.com/FEQqOEb3yu
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) June 22, 2020
The Premier League announced that they are working with authorities to investigate who paid for the banner, but as of now, it is unclear who is behind the act.
