Black Lives Matter: Premier League takes a knee before season restart

Premier League players took a knee before kick-off at Aston Villa versus Sheffield United and Manchester City against Arsenal in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The top-flight restarted on Wednesday 100 days after it was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic and those on the pitch, including the match officials, at Villa Park and the Etihad Stadium knelt down at the start of the game.

Instead of the names on the back of their shirts, players are wearing the words Black Lives Matter for the first 12 fixtures of the season.

A Black Lives Matter logo will also feature on jerseys for the remainder of the campaign.

A joint statement from Aston Villa and Sheffield United said they were "proud to stand in solidarity" with their players and coaching staff in "expressing our collective support for the Black Lives Matter movement".

The statement added: "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."

Following City's 3-0 win against Arsenal later that day, manager Pep Guardiola said: "White people should apologise, say sorry for the way we have treated black people in the last 400 years, for centuries.

"I feel ashamed for what we have done to this marvellous black people around the world. It's not a problem about the USA, what happened with Mr Floyd. I think a problem with racism is everywhere.

"Maybe our generation it's too late but hopefully new generations, the young generations, can understand that we are human beings. It's not because of the colour of the skin.

"Every gesture is important but it's a fight day by day, during months and years.

"It's a problem from a long time ago and you have to support them day by day.

"But what the players have done is marvellous and hopefully we can do it with good gestures for the government and every day in the schools and every person every day."

Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta said: "I think it's a very strong message.

"I think it's creating a very unique message around the world, what we are trying to achieve.

"I think some behaviours are going to change hopefully with all the things that are happening and if we can contribute a little bit to that, great."

It was confirmed last week any player who wishes to take a knee before or during matches – which has come to be recognised as a symbolic act in opposing racism in the last couple of years – would be supported by the league.

Several clubs and players in the Bundesliga, the first major European league to resume amid the health crisis, have shown their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which has gained traction after the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, an unarmed black man, was killed in Minneapolis last month after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck while in custody, sparking demonstrations across the United States and the rest of the world.