PREM players have agreed to dump the Black Lives Matter slogan in favour of a new anti-racism message.
The 20 clubs’ skippers confirmed SunSport’s report that the Black Lives Matters logo worn during last season’s restarted campaign will be replaced by the sleeve badge declaring “No Room For Racism”.
The Black Lives Matter logo featured on every Premier League player’s sleeve last year but will be replaced by a new message
Players also took a knee before each game after the restart, something which is expected to continue in the new campaign
The badge will feature on all players’ and officials’ shirts throughout the season to “act as a constant reminder of the commitment by the Premier League, its clubs, players and PGMOL to eradicate racism”.
Players will continue to “take a knee” in support of the anti-racism movement, a gesture inspired by the death of American George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota earlier this summer.
Prem bosses met with the club skippers on Thursday afternoon to get their full backing for the change.
In a statement the League reported: “This initiative will build on the momentum created last season when, in consultation with the players, ‘Black Lives Matter’ appeared on kits for all the games following the restart.”
We have continued to talk and listen to players on this issue and will support them as well as continuing to emphasise the Premier League’s position against racism.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “We, our clubs, players and match officials have a long-standing commitment to tackling discrimination.
“Players rightly have a strong voice on this matter, which we saw last season.
“We have continued to talk and listen to players on this issue and will support them as well as continuing to emphasise the Premier League’s position against racism.
“Discrimination in any form, anywhere, is wholly unacceptable and No Room For Racism makes our zero-tolerance stance clear.
“We will not stand still on this important issue and we will continue to work with our clubs, players and partners to address all prejudiced behaviour.”
The move comes with the FA having already confirmed players guilty of in-field racism or homophobia face bans of up to 12 matches,.
Clubs are also under threat of partial or full ground closure if fans misbehave once they are allowed back in stadia.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
