MARCUS RASHFORD and Tammy Abraham were just two of many footballers taking part in Blackout Tuesday as sport united in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
Millions of people took part in the social media demonstration against racial injustice, amid protests across the United States and in London.
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Rashford took part in Blackout Tuesday among several of his top-flight colleaguesCredit: PA:Press Association
Floyd died after being pinned to the ground under the police officer’s knee for several minutesCredit: AFP or licensors
Last month, unarmed African-American Floyd was killed after police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, arrested him for using a fake $20 bill.
Chauvin has been charged with murder after pressing his knee against the unarmed Floyd’s neck for several minutes, while pinning him to the pavement.
The incident has further ignited demands for racial equality around the world, most notably with the Black Lives Matter movement.
On Tuesday, several footballers and sports stars joined in with the Blackout demonstration.
A large number of TV, radio and music outlets also shut down their services for 24 hours in solidarity with the movement.
Along with the blacked out image, Manchester United and England forward Rashford shared posts of Jadon Sancho’s “Justice for George Floyd” display as part of his goal celebration on the weekend and Liverpool’s show of support at Anfield.
Wilfried Zaha, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tyrone Mings, Harry Kane and many others shared the Blackout Tuesday message.
Crystal Palace star Zaha wrote: “Things need to change now because George Floyd’s death was the last straw. It’s now or never!
“I don’t condone violence or looting but this can’t just be posting pictures and hashtags anymore.
“If you are commenting all lives matter right now, you are clearly part of the problem! You’re choosing to ignore or should I say avoid the clear racism.”
West Ham’s Michail Antonio added: “We matter. Our lives matter. Our communities matter.
“I don’t have the answers but I will ask for support and togetherness of all communities to stand alongside to help us change the narrative of the eyes that see us as the lesser equals.”
At Chelsea training on Tuesday, players took a knee and aligned to form an ‘H’ to represent the fact we are all humans.
Kepa Arrizabalaga wrote online: “Enough is enough. We are all HUMANS. Together we are stronger. #BlackLivesMatter.”
Elsewhere in sport, NBA stars LeBron James and Steph Curry, former Olympic boxer Nicola Adams, UFC champion Tyron Woodley and ex-England rugby player James Haskell were among those posting for Blackout Tuesday.
Borussia Dortmund star Sancho demanded justice for George Floyd after his goal on SundayCredit: Reuters
Marcus Thuram of Borussia Monchengladbach took a knee following his goalCredit: Reuters
Laura Woods shares anti-racism message after footballers including Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba respond to killing of George Floyd
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
