Premier League players’ names at the back of their shirts will be replaced with “Black Lives Matter” for the first 12 matches of the restarted season.
English Premier League supports the “Black Lives Matter” movement. It is for this reason players’ names at the back of their shirts will be replaced by the words for the first 12 matches when the season restarts. Additionally, a badge thanking NHS staff for their work during the coronavirus outbreak will feature on the shirts.
It is understood Watford’s captain, Deeney played a pivotal role in the discussions between club captains and the Premier League alongside Leicester’s Wes Morgan.
Deeney’s girlfriend, Alisha Hosannah has designed the Black Lives Matter badge that will be used on the player’s shirts.
Similarly, the league supports any player who chooses to “take a knee” before or during matches.
Several Premier League squads have “taken a knee” in training-grounds and anti-racism charity Kick It Out had asked players to feel free to do so on the pitch.
In a joint message from all 20 clubs, players added they were committed to a “global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for all regardless of their color or creed”.
“It’s a great start, but I then want to see something tangible”
Former England, Newcastle and Spurs midfielder, Jermaine Jenas hopes the campaign for change continues beyond the first 12 games.
In an interview with BBC, he said, “It’s brilliant that all the clubs and players have come together and said this is what they want. I think it’s a great message because the Premier League is one of the most powerful businesses in the world”.
“I’m all for it in terms of the representation and for each club and players to be doing it. But I think the question on most people’s lips is, What next?”
“What about the week after? Does it just fade out and it’s OK? We did our little bit and it’s gone now. Or, are we actually going to see some real change within our game, our own home?”
“There’s been huge conversations about the lack of opportunities for black coaches. We need to quash all of that by starting to implement diversity at the hiring level of management, at the top clubs and within the FA”.