Leeds United, Andrea Radrizzani and first team players show support for #blackouttuesday and Black Lives Matter

Leeds United, club owner Andrea Radrizzani and a number of first team players have used their social media accounts to show support for Black Out Tuesday and the Black Lives Matter movement.
SUPPORT - Leeds United, owner Andrea Radrizzani and a number of first team players have shown support for Black Out Tuesday and the Black Lives Matter movement on social media todaySUPPORT - Leeds United, owner Andrea Radrizzani and a number of first team players have shown support for Black Out Tuesday and the Black Lives Matter movement on social media today
SUPPORT - Leeds United, owner Andrea Radrizzani and a number of first team players have shown support for Black Out Tuesday and the Black Lives Matter movement on social media today

Black Out Tuesday has seen social media users, including Leeds United, turning their profile pictures black and posting a black tile with many including messages of anti-racism, in the wake of events in America.

Anti-racism demonstrations have taken place across the world, with protests in many American cities, following the death of George Floyd – an African-American man – in police custody.Leeds owner Radrizzani tweeted: "#BlackLivesMatter STOP RACISM" while striker Tyler Roberts tweeted the same hashtag with a black heart emoji.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Instagram, many of his team-mates have followed suit. Helder Costa, Liam Cooper, Barry Douglas, Mateusz Klich, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford are among those to have posted black tiles with the hashtag #blackouttuesday or the words 'Black Lives Matter.'

Former Leeds striker Brian Deane tweeted a black tile with the words: "No justice no peace."

In the Bundesliga at the weekend Jadon Sancho celebrated scoring for Borussia Dortmund by taking off his shirt to reveal a tribute to Floyd, while Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram took a knee in tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement after scoring in a win against Union Berlin.

Schalke's Weston McKennie wore an armband in his team's defeat to Werder Bremen bearing the words "Justice for George".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The FA have today issued a statement saying any displays of on-field anti-discrimination that breach the game's laws will be assessed with a 'common sense approach and understanding of their context.'

A spokesperson said: "The FA strongly condemns discrimination of any kind and has endeavoured to ensure that football in England is both diverse and inclusive in recent years.

"Where any behaviours or gestures on the pitch that may constitute a breach of the Laws of the Game have to be assessed, they would be reviewed on a case by case basis with a common sense approach and understanding of their context.

"The power of football can break down barriers across communities and we remain deeply committed to removing all forms of discrimination from across the game we all love."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier this year Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was banned for eight matches and fined £60,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing Charlton Athletic's loanee forward Jonathan Leko.

The 33-year-old, who denied the charge, was also ordered to attend a face-to-face education session.

Speaking last month Leko said he had not received an apology from Leeds United or Casilla.