City
Epaper

Black Lives Matter protests: Sheffield United, Aston Villa players take a knee to send 'strong message' of unity

By ANI | Updated: June 18, 2020 08:40 IST

Expressing solidarity with the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, players and coaching staff from Sheffield United and Aston Villa took a knee in order to send a 'strong message' of unity.

Open in App

Expressing solidarity with the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, players and coaching staff from Sheffield United and Aston Villa took a knee in order to send a 'strong message' of unity.

Premier League marked its resumption on Wednesday when Sheffield United played out a goalless draw against Aston Villa.

"Sheffield United and Aston Villa were proud to stand in solidarity with the actions of the players and coaching staff of both football clubs during the first ten seconds of tonight's Premier League fixture, expressing our collective support for the Black Lives Matter movement," Sheffield United said in a statement.

"In the first Premier League fixture of Project Restart both clubs hope that the act of 'taking a knee' will send a strong message of unity and amplify the many messages of support from Premier League players and the wider football family," the statement added.

'Black Lives Matter' protests started from the US after George Floyd, an African-American man, passed away after having a knee pressed onto his neck by a police officer identified as Derek Chauvin.

Several footballers from Bundesliga also came in support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi revealed 'Justice for George Floyd' messages on their undershirt during a win over Paderborn.

Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram took a knee during a goal celebration as his side beat Union Berlin.

Also, Spsh club Real Madrid's Marcelo Vieira on Monday urged people to start making "real changes" in the world after the player knelt down to celebrate a goal.

"We believe that 'taking a knee' at the start of the fixture and after the pre-match minute's silence, allowed both clubs to pay their respects to Covid-19 victims and to show the deep gratitude we all feel for our brave and selfless front-line workers," Sheffield United's statement added.

( With inputs from ANI )

Tags: Derek chauvinBerlinAston VillaSheffield UnitedPaderbornGeorge floyd
Open in App

Related Stories

FootballAston Villa 1–3 Chelsea, FA Cup 2023–24 Highlights: Enzo Fernandez Free-Kick Helps Blues Beat Villa

FootballAston Villa sign Pau Torres from Villarreal for undisclosed fee

HealthStudy reveals how triple combination therapy improves cystic fibrosis

InternationalParis memorial march banned as more protests called across France

TennisWimbledon 2023: Kvitova, Sabalenka advance to fourth round in contrasting styles

Football Realted Stories

Football"My desire is to return to Mohun Bagan, but it's not in my hands": Mumbai City FC's Prabir Das

FootballKounde's late strike leaves Real Madrid gobsmacked as Barcelona lift Copa del Rey title with nail-biting 3-2 win

FootballFC Goa strike late to pip Punjab to Kalinga Super Cup semis

FootballKalinga Super Cup 2025: KBFC face off against MBSG; FCG battle it out with PFC

Football"Always wanted to play for Mumbai": Mehtab Singh