Premiere League, NFL And Cricket Struggles With ‘Black Lives Matter’ Issue
London: The English Premier League, the most popular domestic TV product in world sport, kicks off on Saturday having decided to replace the Black Lives Matter logo on players’ shirts with a “No Room for Racism” patch.
The move is indicative of the delicate position many sports teams and organisations find themselves in as they seek to show support for victims of injustice and send a strong anti-racism message while fearing a backlash from those opposed to aligning with movements that some say have wider political aims.
On Thursday in the United States, the NFL restarted amid controversial scenes as some fans jeered during a moment of silence “dedicated to the ongoing fight for equality in our country” before the Kansas City Chiefs’ game against the Houston Texans.
While the Texans players stayed in the locker room for performances of “Lift Every Voice And Sing” and “The Star-Spangled Banner”, the Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, stayed on the field during the anthems. One player, Alex Okafor, knelt with his fist raised.
The Miami Dolphins also announced they would stay in the locker room during the anthems for their game on Sunday.
When the Premier League restarted in June, the sight of all 22 players and the match officials taking the knee around the centre circle, with their names replaced by “Black Lives Matter” on their shirts, sent a powerful message of support in the wake of protests over the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis in May.
They then wore BLM badges on their shirts for the remaining matches, with the game’s governing body FIFA, which professes a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to the display of any political messages, coming out in support.
In the months since, however, a divide has developed, with many people opposing what they see as the political aims of BLM while still asserting the need to protest against racism.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters recently told a British Parliamentary committee: “We are drawing a clear distinction between a moral cause and a political movement.”
Masters said on Thursday the change of badge came after discussions with players and would “build on the momentum created last season”.
“Discrimination in any form, anywhere, is wholly unacceptable and No Room For Racism makes our zero-tolerance stance clear,” Masters said.
“We will not stand still on this important issue and we will continue to work with our clubs, players and partners to address all prejudiced behaviour.”
Former Wolves and QPR midfielder Karly Henry voiced his opposition to the Premier League aligning with BLM.
