Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra is demanding an end to racial injustice, saying his ‘heart is burning’ following the tragic death of George Floyd in the United States.
‘Black Lives Matter’ demonstrations have taken place across the world since Floyd was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin last month.
Many famous sports figures spoken out against the horrific discrimination recently, and former Manchester United left back Evra has opened up about his feelings on Twitter, providing a heartfelt and emotional message to his followers.
Evra said on Monday: ‘Staying silent is a crime. Saying I am not racist is not good enough, because we know to be racist. We know to pretend to be not racist, but let’s learn to be anti-racist because enough is enough.
‘And like I always say, racism comes from the education. No babies are born as a racist, no human being is born as a racist. So we know it is from the education. I experienced racists all my life. I am not here crying, I am not here being the victim.
‘But now let’s talk about the actuality, the Floyd case. When I saw that video, I just feel lucky to be alive and I always come as a speech. We are all the same colour, we are all human beings because I will have the same speech if it was someone from a different colour skin than mine, because we are talking about killing people.
‘We are going to say again, the people with colour skin, they always complain, but you are playing with us too much. Today will be that kind of speech. But I will talk as well as about people with coloured skin, we should act differently. I don’t need to give advice to anyone, I am not a politician, I am just talking with my heart. It is burning inside.
‘So now, we need to change it. I know many people have lost lives. For them, we will have to keep fighting and to make that world a better place.’
The former France international also revealed that he used to tell his black team-mates that ‘we have to work harder than anyone else’.
‘I used to say to some of my team-mates when we are playing games. They didn’t understand some racists comment. And before the game I was telling them make sure you give everything you’ve got, because always remember the colour of your skin.
‘We have to work harder than anyone. And I say now we are on the pitch so make sure we give everything. But that was a motivation speech. But now, you can just die.
‘Like I say, I will do my best but enough is enough. I love you all, have a happy Monday but things will change. Stop hiding behind your job. I don’t agree with a lot of things, but now it is time to never give up.’
