FIFA Comes Out in Support of Black Lives Matter and Justice for George Floyd Gestures
FIFA has confirmed its support of footballers who make an on-field gesture in protest against the killing of George Floyd and in solidarity with the wider Black Lives Matter movement.
The football world has reacted strongly to the death of the 46-year-old black American at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on 25 May, with Jadon Sancho, Marcus Thuram, Achraf Hakimi and Weston McKennie all choosing to show solidarity through various messages during the weekend's round of Bundesliga fixtures.
First professional hat trick ??. A bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change. We have to come together as one & fight for justice. We are stronger together! ❤️ #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd ?? pic.twitter.com/ntOtwOySCO
— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) May 31, 2020
In a statement posted on their website, FIFA said: "FIFA fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case.
"FIFA had repeatedly expressed itself to be resolutely against racism and discrimination of any kind and recently strengthened its own disciplinary rules with a view to helping to eradicate such behaviour."
And after the FA pledged a 'common sense' approach to dealing with Black Lives Matter gestures when the Premier League returns on 17 June, FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at a similar stance being taken during FIFA competitions, suggesting players will not receive a yellow card for revealing a message under their shirts or on an armband.
"For the avoidance of doubt, in a FIFA competition the recent demonstrations of players in Bundesliga matches would deserve an applause and not a punishment," he said.
"We all must say no to racism and any form of discrimination. We all must say no to violence. Any form of violence."
They then ended the statement with the hashtags '#stopracism #stopdiscrimination #stopviolence'.
Kick It Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari, meanwhile, has urged all footballers to take a knee in order to protest the killing of Floyd and show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Unity is strength. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/sSu2sarAXa
— Liverpool FC (at ?) (@LFC) June 1, 2020
The Liverpool squad were pictured down on one knee in the Anfield centre circle in a show of solidarity, and Bhandari has encouraged others to follow suit once the Premier League resumes.