Premiership has ‘hung players out to dry’ with Black Lives Matter stance, says Exeter Chiefs’ director of rugby

All 12 top-flight clubs will take a stand against racism with different gestures when the season resumes

Exeter Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter has said the Premiership’s failure to come up with a unified approach to showing support for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is like hanging players out to dry.

All 12 top-flight clubs will take a stand against racism with different gestures when the Premiership resumes.

Harlequins, Leicester and Wasps players will take a knee before kick-off this weekend, while Bath will form a huddle.

Bristol Bears will line up in a heart-shaped formation before each of their matches, while Gloucester and Worcester Warriors will support the movement in a ‘V’ formation.

“Just dropping it on clubs and saying ‘there you go, do what you like’ is like hanging some players out to dry,” Baxter told British media.

“I don’t know how much positive press players will get if they have a different opinion, which is something we should embrace.”

Baxter said it was important for clubs to strike a balance in the way they support the movement to ensure rugby does not become overly political.

“If we are going to get some balance in all of this, let’s remember: We are a sport, we are here to entertain people, let’s get back to being a sport and not trying to be a political tool,” he added.

Reuters