Players’ names on the back of shirts to be replaced with ‘Black Lives Matter’ when Premier League resumes… as stars are given the green light to ‘take a knee’ before or DURING games
- Premier League stars will have Black Lives Matter on kits when football returns
- The words will replace their surname in a display of unity by top-flight stars
- A Black Lives Matter logo will also be visible on shirts for the first 12 games
- The league said it stood by players and would support anyone who ‘takes a knee’
Premier League stars are set to have their surnames on the back of shirts replaced by ‘Black Lives Matter‘ the when football season resumes.
Following the killing of black man George Floyd by a white policeman in the US, protests have been held around the world and support for the movement is continuing to gain momentum in sport.
Now the Premier League have confirmed their plans with stars keen to show their unity, insisting they stand alongside them and ‘all those who oppose discrimination’. Black Lives Matter will be on stars’ kits for the first 12 games of the season, while a logo of the cause will also be present on jerseys.
Players released a statement promising to stand together in unity against discrimination
The Premier League has confirmed Black Lives Matter will replace players’ surnames on shirts
This week Sportsmail revealed that top-flight chiefs were considering using Black Lives Matter messaging on shirts when Premier League action got back underway.
A statement from the Premier League included a note from top-flight stars vowing to stand united against racism ‘to bring about a global society of inclusion and respect’.
It said: ‘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 colour or creed.
It had been requested by the players and will be carried out for the first 12 games of the season
‘This symbol is a sign of unity from all Players, all Staff, all Clubs, all Match Officials and the Premier League #blacklivesmatter #playerstogether.’
In a continued statement, the Premier League said it stood with the players and that it would honour requests to have the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the back of their kits when action resumes from June 17.
And the league promised to allow players to take a knee, which has become synonymous with the movement, having been seen by former NFL star Colin Kaepernick in protest against discrimination.
It said: ‘The Premier League stands alongside players, clubs, the FA, EFL, PFA, LMA, PGMOL and all those who oppose discrimination in any form.
The Premier League will support any players who ‘take a knee’ in protest against racism
The Liverpool squad took a knee in training to show solidarity with BLM movement this month
‘The League supports the players’ wish to have their names replaced by Black Lives Matter on the back of their shirts for the first 12 matches of the restarted 2019/20 season. A Black Lives Matter logo will also feature on shirts for the remainder of the season, along with a badge thanking the NHS for their work during the COVID-19 crisis.
‘In addition, the League will support players who ‘take a knee’ before or during matches. The Premier League believes there is no room for racism, anywhere #NoRoomForRacism.’
Earlier this week Arsenal took the first steps towards plans to show support towards the Black Lives Matter movement prior to their 3-2 friendly loss to Brentford.
As Gunners players warmed up, they were seen taking a knee wearing t-shirts saying ‘I can’t breathe’, ‘I stand with you’ and ‘silence is violence’.
Players from several Premier League clubs were also seen taking a knee during their first training sessions back earlier this month in a show of solidarity with the BLM movement.