We stand alongside the players, clubs, Premier League, EFL, PFA, LMA, PGMOL and all those who have come together in recent weeks to reject racism and to show support for the message that Black lives matter.
These three words have become an expression of unity for people from all communities who believe it is unacceptable to treat Black people differently to anyone else.
In an unprecedented move, Premier League players from all 20 clubs united in solidarity with this message and the Premier League supported their request to replace their names on the back of playing shirts with ‘Black Lives Matter’ and then display the Black Lives Matter logo on their match shirts.
We're proud to support the Black Lives Matter message in order to show solidarity to the Black community and to highlight inequality and injustice experienced by this community.
As an apolitical organisation and, while we are pleased to offer our solidarity in promoting this important message, we do not endorse any political organisation or movement, nor support any group that calls for violence or condones illegal activity.
We'll continue to stand firm against all types of discrimination. Just as we specifically promote campaigns like Rainbow Laces to support the LGBTQ community or Level Playing Field’s week of action to highlight discrimination against disabled people, we are supporting Black Lives Matter.
To support the message, a Black Lives Matter logo has appeared on shirts in both the Premier League and Emirates FA Cup, along with a badge thanking the NHS for their work during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, we will continue to support players who "take a knee" before or during matches.
We have sanctioned the use of both these logos. For European matches, UEFA is the sanctioning body, just as FIFA the global body has been for international matches when they have supported us in wearing the poppy to support Remembrance Day.
Black lives matter and football is united in this message.
