Premier League players’ names on the back of shirts to be replaced with ‘Black Lives Matter’

Premier League players’ names on the back of shirts to be replaced with ‘Black Lives Matter’

• League management agree to Premier League stars replacing their names with the message
• A Black Lives Matter logo will also be visible for the first 12 games
• Mental Health and Psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Premier League stars will have their names on the back replaced by the message of Black Lives Matter.

Premier League players will have their surnames on the back of the shirts replaced by ‘Black Lives Matter’ when the season restarts on June 17.

The ‘Black Lives Matter’ message began when African-American George Floyd died after having a knee pressed into his neck for more than eight minutes while being detained by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, and eventually died in Minneapolis.

Premier League teams presented the idea to have the message on the back of the shirts in solidarity with the movement that has grown in momentum across the world.

Premier League confirmed this plan with stars keen to show their unity and solidarity on the fight against racism. The management stated that it stands alongside the teams and ‘all those who oppose discrimination’.

Black Lives Matter will be on stars’ kits for the first 12 games of the season, while a logo of the cause will also be present on jerseys.

The statement from the Premier League included a note from top-flight stars vowing to stand united against racism ‘to bring about a global society of inclusion and respect’.

The statement read:

‘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. This symbol is a sign of unity from all Players, all Staff, all Clubs, all Match Officials and the Premier League #blacklivesmatter #playerstogether.’