Marcus Thuram takes a knee in his goal celebration for Gladbach in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement as activists across the world call for ‘justice’ over the death of George Floyd in the US
- Marcus Thuram took a knee after scoring Monchengladbach’s second goal
- The striker bowed his head in a tribute to the Black Lives Matter campaigning
- Protests and activists have flooded the streets in USA after George Floyd’s death
- Striker’s dad Lillian, a former World Cup winner, is a renowned anti-racist activist
- Comes after Bundesliga ace Weston McKennie wore Justice for George armband
Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram celebrated a goal on Sunday by taking a knee amid protests in America over the death of George Floyd.
The powerful moment came in the first half of Sunday’s Bundesliga match against Union Berlin when the French striker scored and celebrated by going down to his knees and bowing his head in a nod to the Black Lives Matter movement.
It comes as activists across the world have been calling for ‘justice’ over the death of Floyd, who had a knee pressed into his neck for more than eight minutes while being detained by a white police officer, and eventually died on the scene in Minneapolis on Monday.
Marcus Thuram took a knee after scoring for Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday in a nod to the Black Lives Matter movement as protests continue in the US over George Floyd’s death
Derek Chauvin (in uniform) has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after My Floyd died after he held his knee on his neck for over eight minutes
The striker scored again in the second half as Gladbach thrashed Union Berlin 4-1 on Sunday
Police officer Derek Chauvin, 44, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after the death of Mr Floyd who begged for air while being arrested.
Thuram expressed his solidarity with protests across the United States over Floyd’s death after scoring to double Gladbach’s lead on Sunday.
Shortly afterwards, Gladbach tweeted a pictured of Thuram’s celebration with the caption: ‘No explanation needed’.
Thuram scored a second after the break with Florain Neuhaus and Alassane Plea grabbing the other two in a 4-1 victory over Union Berlin.
The 22-year-old striker is the son of former France international and World Cup winner Lillian Thuram, who has been an anti-racist activist and campaigner since his playing days at Monaco, Parma, Juventus and Barcelona.
Thuram’s club tweeted this out shortly after the forward celebrated scoring his goal
Former NFL star Colin Kaepernick pictured kneeling for the US national anthem back in 2016
Thuram’s father Lillian is a former World Cup winner and anti-racist activist and campaigner
Mr Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis on Monday has sparked protests throughout the week
Demonstrations have even been taking place in the UK – this photo taken on Sunday in Cardiff
Thuram’s celebration – which mimicked what former NFL star Colin Kaepernick was renowned for doing back in 2016 when the United States’ national anthem was played in protest against racial injustice – comes after another Bundesliga player, Schalke midfielder Weston McKennie, wore a ‘Justice for George’ armband during their defeat against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
McKennie then later backed up his actions by tweeting: ‘To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on toolong feels good!!!
‘We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard!#justiceforgeorgefloyd #saynotoracism.’
Hundreds of people have taken to the streets in protest across the US in recent days, with more than 1,300 having been arrested in 16 cities since Thursday night.
Scenes of destruction have swept across the US after Floyd’s death ignited outrage over what many feel is a systemic problem with police brutality against African-American men.
In Washington, the National Guard has been deployed outside the White House to deal with protesters.
Schalke star Weston McKennie wore a ‘Justice for George’ armband on Saturday afternoon
McKennie later tweeted his support for the protests after playing in a Bundesliga match
Demonstrations have even been taking place in London, with many people ignoring coronavirus lockdown restrictions to make their anger known.
Many in the sporting world have commented on the death of Floyd, which has brought shock worldwide.
France World Cup winner and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe also showed his support, tweeting the hashtag ‘JusticeForGeorge’ with emojis of a speaking head and a fist.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright admitted it is ‘maybe time for a bit of a break’ after watching the video of Mr Floyd being murdered.
Wright took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the shocking footage on Friday night, admitting it left him ‘tired’.
He wrote: ‘I’m tired. We tired. The comments, the replies, every day explaining ourselves. That video. Just drained. Maybe time for a bit of a break.’
Ian Wright also admitted he was left ‘tired’ after watching the video of Floyd being murdered