Liverpool Players Take a Knee As Sport Stars Speak out Over Floyd Death
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Chris Gayle claims he is also a victim of racism PAGE 13 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020 ‘Plain angry’ Jordan joins sports world call for change AFP that said the league shares “the LOS ANGELES outrage” that has followed the death of Floyd. NBA icon Michael Jordan de- With US pro sports on hold cried “ingrained racism” in amid the coronavirus pandem- America as the sports world’s ic, American athletes had no reaction to the death of un- chance to demonstrate on the armed black man George Floyd field of play. leapt leagues and continents. Boston Celtics forward Jay- “I am deeply saddened, len Brown and Philadelphia truly pained and plain angry,” 76ers forward Tobias Harris Jordan said in a statement on were among a number of NBA Sunday, as protests over Floyd’s players who took part in dem- death on May 25 spawned vio- onstrations over the weekend. lence and looting. “I stand with Brown drove 15 hours to Liverpool’s squad took those who are calling out the lead a peaceful protest march in a knee during training ingrained racism and violence Atlanta, Georgia. on Monday. toward people of color in our “First and foremost, I’m a country. black man and I’m a member “We have had enough,” said of this community,” the Georgia Jordan, who was famously re- native said. luctant to comment on social US tennis great Serena Wil- issues during his playing career. liams posted a moving video Liverpool players take a “We need to continue peace- on Instagram that featured a ful expressions against injustice young African-American girl and demand accountability,” overcome by emotion as she ad- Jordan said. dressed a public meeting, final- Jordan joined a chorus of ly able to force out the words: knee as sport stars speak voices from the NBA, NFL and “We are black people, and we other US sports demanding shouldn’t have to feel like this.” change for black Americans, but Teenage tennis phenom the demands weren’t limited to Coco Gauff, who is black, had the United States. a simple question on her Insta- out over Floyd death French footballer Marcus gram post: “Am I next?” Thuram and England interna- And two-time Grand Slam tional Jadon Sancho called for winner Naomi Osaka, whose AFP bol in the fight against racial injustice. “Black lives matter. Black culture after scoring the first of his three goals justice for Floyd after scoring in mother is Japanese and fa- LONDON Manchester United striker Mar- matters. Black communities matter. in a 6-1 win over Paderborn. Germany’s Bundesliga. ther Haitian, reminded her cus Rashford said he feared society We matter.” “We shouldn’t fear speaking out for Thuram took a knee af- social media followers: “Just LIVERPOOL players showed their was “more divided than ever” in the Rashford’s United teammate Paul what’s right,” said Sancho. ter scoring for Borussia Moe- because it isn’t happening to solidarity with the Black Lives Mat- violent aftermath of Floyd’s death in Pogba said “violent acts of racism can The English Professional Football- nchengladbach in a match you doesn’t mean it isn’t hap- ter movement following the death of Minneapolis. Floyd died last Monday no longer be tolerated.” ers Association (PFA) said in a state- against Union Berlin, while pening at all.” George Floyd in the United States by after a white police officer held his The French World Cup winner ment: “We want America to know that Sancho marked one of his three NFL commissioner Roger taking a knee around the centre circle at knee on the handcuffed black man’s posted on Instagram: “I can’t tol- the world is watching. The action tak- goals for Borussia Dortmund Goodell said the violent protests Anfield on Monday. neck for several minutes. erate, I won’t tolerate, WE WON’T en to ensure justice for George Floyd against Paderborn by lifting his “reflect the pain, anger and frus- Reds stars including Virgil van Dijk The shocking incident has sparked TOLERATE. Racism is ignorance, at this moment sends a clear message jersey to reveal a T-shirt bearing tration that so many of us feel. and Trent Alexander-Arnold tweeted protests and riots in cities across the LOVE is intelligence.” about the perceived value of black lives the words “Justice for George With Kaepernick still un- the same photograph with the words world and has been met with a strong England international Jadon San- in America.” Floyd.” able to find a job in the NFL, “Unity is strength”, accompanied by the reaction from sporting icons such as cho was one of several Bundesliga Former England captain David Thuram’s gesture echoed not everyone was convinced hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. Michael Jordan and Lewis Hamilton. footballers to make a stand over the Beckham, who owns Major League the protest of US racism spear- by Goodell or by San Fran- Made famous by former NFL “At a time I’ve been asking people weekend, while scoring his first ca- Soccer side Inter Miami, posted on In- headed by former NFL quarter- cisco 49ers chief executive Jed quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s to come together, work together and be reer hat-trick for Borussia Dortmund stagram: “I stand in solidarity with the back Colin Kaepernick, whose York, who pledged $1 million kneeling during pre-game renditions united, we appear to me more divided on Sunday. black community and millions of others decision to kneel during the na- to combat systemic racial dis- of the US national anthem, bending than ever,” said Rashford. “People are Sancho displayed a T-shirt with across the world who are outraged by tional anthem at games in 2016 crimination. down on one knee has become a sym- hurting and people need answers. “Justice for George Floyd” written on it these events.” sparked outrage. Former 49er Eric Reid, who NBA Commissioner Adam knelt alongside Kaepernick Silver sent an internal memo tweeted: “Nobody wants your to NBA employees on Sunday money Jed. We want justice.” Protests could bring Bundesliga players sanctions DPA hands of police in the United But making overtly political president Rainer Koch. “It is intolerable when peo- BERLIN States last week. statements - at least those not “As is the case internation- ple are discriminated against Borussia Moenchenglad- pre-approved such as anti-rac- ally, the game itself should re- because of the colour of their FOUR Bundesliga players bach’s Marcus Thuram took ism campaigns - is prohibited main free of political statements skin,” he was quoted as saying. could face sanctions from the a knee in celebrating a goal, even if the match referee does or messages of any kind; the fair “I have huge respect for German football federation a statement the DFB called not take action at the time. and competitive action on the players who take a stance and (DFB) for making anti-rac- “open to interpretation,” in a The federation’s control pitch should be the focus. show their solidarity. We need ism protests during weekend long explanation explaining commitee will determine what “There are of course op- responsible players like them games. why the quartet were being in- sanctions - if any - the players portunities before and after and I am proud of them. Schalke’s Weston Mc- vestigated. will face. the match for these kinds of “From a moral stand- Kennie and Borussia Dort- Sancho was booked after “Part of these examina- things.” point, I completely under- mund pair Jadon Sancho and scoring against Paderborn not tions is to ascertain whether The DFB stressed presi- stand their actions on the Achraf Hakimi displayed mes- for the message but remov- during matches and on the dent Fritz Keller “has huge weekend. There is no one Michael Jordan, who was famously reluctant to comment on social sages calling for justice for ing his shirt to show it, the pitch are the right place for respect and understanding for who isn’t moved by what has issues during his playing career, says there is “ingrained racism” in George Floyd, who died at the DFB said. these actions,” said DFB vice the players’ actions.” happened in the USA.” the US. (AFP) F1 stars quick to respond to Hamilton’s criticism for staying silent DPA made an Instagram post late Hamilton’s father is from “We welcome and encour- BERLIN on Sunday criticising F1 for its Trinidad and Tobago and took age people from all races, cul- lack of response to the death several jobs when his son was tures, religions, philosophies FORMULA One drivers of George Floyd in the United young in order to meet the and lifestyles, and condemn Charles Leclerc and George States and current anti-racism high costs of junior racing. every form of discrimination Russell were among those to protests. Williams driver Russell as we work together to drive speak out against racism af- “I see those of you who are said: “To echo @Charles_ change forward. ter six-time world champion staying silent, some of you the Leclerc’s words, I just felt out “We are deeply saddened Lewis Hamilton delivered a biggest of stars yet you stay si- of place sharing my thoughts by the recent developments stinging critic of the sport for lent in the midst of injustice,” on these atrocities publicly. and hope for a de-escaltion its silence. he wrote. “It’s time we all stand to- soon.” F1 hopes to hold the “To be completely honest, “Not a sign from anybody gether and kick racism out US Grand Prix this year in I felt out of place and uncom- in my industry which of course of our societies for good.