Aston Villa and Sheffield United players take knee before kick-off as Premier League returns

Players and match officials all joined in the display of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement

Aston Villa and Sheffield United’s players took a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement ahead of kick-off as the Premier League returned on Wednesday.

All matchday officials present at Villa Park also joined in the protest, which lasted for 10 seconds after referee Michael Oliver blew his whistle following a minute’s silence for those who have passed away during the coronavirus pandemic.

Players’ shirts will bear the name of the Black Lives Matter movement in place of their own for the first 12 fixtures of the league’s resumption, while a logo will appear on their shirt sleeve for the remainder of the season.

The Premier League said it would fully support players’ protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.

Aston Villa released a statement, which read: “Aston Villa and Sheffield United were proud to stand in solidarity with the actions of the players and coaching staff of both football clubs during the first ten seconds of tonight’s Premier League fixture, expressing our collective support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

“In the first Premier League fixture of Project Restart both clubs hope that the act of ‘taking a knee’ will send a strong message of unity and amplify the many messages of support from Premier League players and the wider football family.

“The directors of both clubs, Dean Smith, Chris Wilder, Jack Grealish and Billy Sharp and the players of United and Villa are in full support of this action.

“We believe that ‘taking a knee’ at the start of the fixture and after the pre-match minute’s silence, allowed both clubs to pay their respects to Covid-19 victims and to show the deep gratitude we all feel for our brave and selfless front-line workers.”