SEAN DYCHE says all his men condemned the “White Lives Matter” banner flown over Monday’s Prem clash at Manchester City.
And the Burnley boss wants the outrage to strengthen the club’s anti-racism message.
Burnley players and staff were fuming after a banner was flown over the EtihadCredit: PA:Press Association
Ben Mee was chosen to speak to the media about the incidentCredit: Sky
Skipper Ben Mee joined Dyche in denouncing the banner after the game.
But yesterday Dyche said: “All of our players wanted to be involved in that message, but we decided to do it through Ben.
“My players were disgruntled and upset and they wanted to let that be known.
“It was my decision to let the captain speak, but there were any number of players who felt very passionately about it.
“This club does a lot of work in the community and in local education projects, and we don’t want all our efforts undermined by a few people with an unacceptable message.”
The “White Lives Matter Burnley” banner was flown over the Etihad as players were taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Lancashire Police investigated the stunt, but stated no criminal offences “have been disclosed at this time”.
However, the Clarets vowed to issue life bans for anyone involved in the episode.
Dyche added: “This needs to be looked at as offensive behaviour by a small number of individuals rather than anything to do with the club or the town.
“We absolutely accept that message — and it would be a harsh slur on a whole town if anyone believed the actions of the few people are in any way representative.
“But there has to be some form of silver lining to the cloud. The reaction to that moment has been so overwhelming and empowering on the things that need to be addressed.
“Football has been pushing hard for a long time on this message and should continue to do so.”
Dyche’s comments came as the Premier League launched a new reporting system to tackle online racist abuse.
Prem chief executive Richard Masters confirmed: “There are too many footballers and their families receiving appalling discriminatory messages. Nobody should have to deal with this.
“Our central reporting system has been developed to provide a rapid response and support for any players, managers and coaches who have been victims of serious online discrimination, whether targeted at themselves or family members.
“We have been made aware of the unacceptable online racist abuse received by Ian Wright.
“The Premier League strongly condemns this offensive behaviour.
“Alongside the FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, we will continue to challenge social media companies that fail to do enough to block offensive discriminatory material and identify and ban offenders from their platforms.
“The Premier League and its clubs will also continue to work with the police, Crown Prosecution Service and Kick It Out to identify and ban offenders from Premier League grounds.”
Jake Hepple, pictured here with Tommy Robinson, has been sacked from his job after organising the bannerCredit: Facebook
However, PFA equalities officer Iffy Onuora fears there will still be a lack of black leadership roles in football in ten years.
He said: “In 2003, I sat with people like Frank Clark from the League Managers Association, Trevor Brooking at the FA about how we get more black coaches into management positions.
“And the feeling then was,‘Oh, it will happen now, as more players do the badges’.
“The most there have been was 2006 — and I was one of the managers.
“We had about seven BAME coaches. There are five or six now, so that hasn’t changed.
“Very few senior positions at clubs are filled by people of colour. That’s where decision-makers are and that’s where the blockage is.”
Ahead of tonight’s game with Watford, Dyche has lost four first-teamers whose contracts were up.
And with Ashley Barnes, Chris Wood, Robbie Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson all injured, the Clarets manager said it had exposed how “skinny” his squad is.
Dyche added: “There was some suggestion I was trying to prove a point by naming only seven players on the bench for the City game — including a few with no first-team experience — but that was every player we had.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
