A plane carrying a banner declaring ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ flew over Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on Monday at the start of the Premier League game against Burnley.
The plane appeared shortly after players from both teams took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
There was no indication who had organised the plane and banner.
All of the players in the 12 Premier League games since the restart of the season after the COVID-19 stoppage have worn ‘Black Lives Matter’ on their shirts in place of their names as the league formally joined the international protest campaign sparked by the death last month of George Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody.
Burnley issued a statement at halftime during the game saying the Lancashire club “strongly condemns” the actions and adding that they will work with authorities to identify those behind the move and issue lifetime bans.
“The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning Community scheme, and stands against racism of any kind.
“We are fully behind the Premier League’s Black Lives Matter initiative and, in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at kick-off at Manchester City.
“We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter,” the club said.
