Premier League stars fearful of links to Black Lives Matter activists

Premier League stars fearful of links to Black Lives Matter activists

• Premier League players are concerned with links to the UK Wing of the movement
• Premier League captains set to make public statement
• Mental Health and Psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Premier League players have distanced themselves from the Black Lives Matter Movement UK Wing.

The players are concerned that they could be linked to the official UK wing of the Black Lives Matter organisation amid concerns over its ideology and political ambitions.

Premier League players have been in support of the Black Lives Matter movement that has grown in support since the death of African-American George Floyd who 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.

The league has been in support of the movement with teams taking a knee before kickoff of games, while several players have taken a knee in solidarity.

The players’ call to endorse the sentiment behind the Black Lives Matter movement — the need for action to ensure greater equality and an expression of solidarity with those who have suffered persecution because of their race — was instrumental in persuading the Premier League to make the campaign such a visible part of Project Restart.

However, they have now expressed concern that they are being associated with the UK based wing of the movement.

In the last few days, the official BLM UK Twitter account has caused controversy by calling for the overthrow of capitalism, reductions in police funding and an end to free trade with Israel.

While the players remain united in campaigning for equality and committed to maintaining such symbolic gestures for the remainder of the season, some are concerned about being associated with the political activism of Black Lives Matter UK.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the Premier League said:

‘Together, all professional football bodies and the players and managers recognize the importance of the message that black lives matter.

‘However, we do not endorse any political organisation or movement, nor support any group that calls for violence or condones illegal activity.

‘We are aware of the risk posed by groups that seek to hijack popular causes and campaigns to promote their own political views.’