The restart of the Premier League will see players replace the names on the back of their shirts with “Black Lives Matter”.
This is a move geared towards campaigning against anti-racism and will happen for the first 12 matches after the restart of the season.
Also, players who choose to ‘take a knee’ before or during matches will have the full support of the Premier League.
The death of George Floyd, a black man who was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, has sparked mass protests across the world.
Premier League players want to wear "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts instead of individual names during the opening round of fixtures next week, sources have told @MarkOgden_: https://t.co/mFLMgJlTch pic.twitter.com/lQ75ytgeWR
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 11, 2020
Footballers haven’t been left out, with several players in the Bundesliga making gestures to solidarise with the protestors.
A joint statement from all 20 Premier League clubs said all players are committed to “a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their colour or creed”.
“We, the players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice,” it added.
Meanwhile, a Black Lives Matter badge will feature on all playing shirts for the remainder of the season
Also, the jerseys will feature a badge thanking all frontline NHS staff for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s brilliant that all the clubs and the players have come together and said that this is what they want. I think it’s a great message because the Premier League is one of the most powerful businesses in the world,” said former England and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
“I’m all for it in terms of the representation and for each club and player to be doing it.”
