Burnley captain Ben Mee, manager Sean Dyche and the club condemned the ‘All White Lives Matter Burnley’ that was flown over the Etihad Stadium during Manchester City’s 5-0 win.
The banner was towed by an aircraft which hovered over the Etihad stadium just after kick-off in the Clarets’ Premier League return. Moments earlier, all players, staff and officials had taken a knee in support of the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement.
Players also have “Black Lives Matter” printed at the back of shirts instead of their individual names as a part of campaign to promote racial equality.
Burnley quickly put out a strong statement condemning the actions and promising lifetime bans for those involved and Mee immediately addressed the banner in brilliant fashion when he spoke from the heart in an post-match interview with Sky Sports.
I’m ashamed and embarrassed that a small number of our fans have decided to put that around the stadium.
They have completely missed the point and there’s a group of lads in there who are embarrassed to see that.
It’s not what we are about at all and has missed the whole point of what we’ve achieved and what we’re trying to do (through backing the Black Lives Movement).
These people need to educate themselves – as a lot of us do – and, like I said, it completely missed the point of the whole thing we’re trying to achieve.
It does not represent what we’re about, the club’s about, the players are about and what the majority of fans are about, I’m sure. It’s a small minority of people and I’m really upset that happened.
I’m ashamed and upset it’s associated with our club – my club – and it’s not something we want to see at all in the game. We totally condemn it and are embarrassed by it
Ben Mee , Burnley Captain
Burnley Statement over the banner
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.
Burnley Statement on the banner flown over Etihad Stadium
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