The EPL sides have been on their foot to fight racism and discrimination at all cost since after the murder of George Floyd last year.
George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, after his neck and back were knelt on by police officer Derek Chauvin for nine minutes and 29 seconds sent shockwaves around the world.
Floyd’s pleas of “I can’t breathe” became synonymous with the Black Lives Matter protests that took place across the world. Not just on racial injustice but also on police brutality.
The EPL showed their support against racism by realising players’ statement on June 12, 2020.
“We, the players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their colour or creed,” it read.
“This symbol is a sign of unity from all players, all staff, all clubs, all match officials and the Premier League #blacklivesmatter #playerstogether.”
On return of the EPL amid Covid19 pandemic. EPL supported the motion that players’ names on the backs of their shirts would be replaced with “Black Lives Matter” for the final 12 games of the campaign, while the BLM logo would also appear on the shirts.
The taking of the knee also became a fixture pre-match, as it still is more than a year later.
Chelsea is one of the top clubs that leads by example when it comes to fighting issues like racism and discrimination.
Chelsea skipper Azpilicueta was fully in support for the Black Lives Matter protest.
What Azpilicueta said:
“It is something where we want to use our position to express that we are living in a world where we have to try to improve it for the future, to be a better world with more love, without hate,’ Azpilicueta said.
“We have seen recently the result of racism and we see every day that that kind of hate has to be eradicated from society, and we have to play our part.
“There is every day the possibility to lead by example, to behave, to educate the children into a better world because we know that education is key for the future.
“We know the young generation is coming behind us and we want to leave them in a better world with more possibilities without any kind of discrimination or racism, so everything matters and it is time to speak up and to face up to the attitudes that we are seeing. There is no place for all of this.
Moreover, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has taken a step sending letters to every Chelsea player which said:
“I am appalled by the racist abuse targeted at Reece on social media.
“We cannot allow this to continue unchecked. I have therefore directed the board to further increase the club’s efforts in this area and I will personally direct more funds towards this important work.”
