A plane carrying a “White Lives Matter” banner was seen above the Etihad during Burnley’s clash with Manchester City, sparking outrage amid ongoing protests and demonstrations against racial inequality.
All Premier League players have worn “Black Lives Matter” across the back of their shirts since the return to play, with the tribute following protests that began in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd.
Those protests have sparked demonstrations all over the world, with Weston McKennie, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Thuram among those to make displays in the Bundesliga, with Marcelo headlining those in La Liga.
Shortly following the start of Tuesday’s match between second-place Manchester City and 11th-place Burnley, a plane was spotted overhead carrying a banner that read “White Lives Matter Burnley”.
The display came just a few minutes into the match, moments after the players on the pitch finished kneeling, and circled overhead for the first moments of the match.
There has been no confirmation who paid for the banner to be displayed, but reaction on social media saw the message immediately condemned;
Indeed, Burnley released an official statement at half-time, which reads:
“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.
“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 apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter.”
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