Premier League REFUSE to drop Black Lives Matter badge after Sky Sports pundits ditch it from TV over controversy

PREM chiefs will NOT ditch the Black Lives Matter badge on club shirts - despite a growing backlash against the aims of the movement.

A player-led call for an official response to the death of unarmed George Floyd in the USA saw players “take a knee” at kick-off when the Prem resumed after the coronavirus lockdown.

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The names of players was replaced by “Black Lives Matter” for the opening 12 games while all shirts have been adorned by a BLM badge designed by Watford ace Troy Deeney and his partner.

But in recent days the movement has attracted controversy and led to questions for Prem chief executive Richard Masters.

BLM leaders have posted their beliefs in defunding the police, overthrowing capitalism and “targeted sanctions in line with international law against Israel's colonial, apartheid regime”.

Sky Sports pundits Patrice Evra and Jamie Redknapp ditched their BLM badges during yesterday’s coverage of Manchester United’s win at Brighton, after the logo had been worn by all presenters since the restart.

A spokesperson for Sky Sports told The Sun Online: "Sky’s support is for the moral cause and campaign, that black lives matter, rather than for any political organisation.

"Our presenters and analysts on-screen are free to make their own choice as to whether they wear supportive badges or not."

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Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier questioned whether he would continue wearing the badge after criticising the movement's "far-left" calls to defund the police.

But the 51-year-old decided to keep the pin on to fight racism.

He told MailOnline: "I just don't agree with some of the points of that movement - specifically the defunding of the police and the anti capitalist points are things I do not agree with.

"They are the two main points for me. I am quite happy for them to have their point of view, but that is mine and that is where I sit.

"I think a lot of people in the country would agree with me.

"I will still wear the badge because I do of course believe black lives matter. It's a simple thing.

"I agree with the cause but there are parts of the organisation that I just cannot support."

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It is now being discussed by several players, with a group of captains considering whether to make a public statement, .

And SunSport understands the badge will remain on all Premier League shirts until the end of the season.

League bosses believe they have drawn a clear distinction between the cause represented by BLM and the organisation itself.

That came after Masters was put under pressure from MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport select committee. The Prem boss insisted the League had responded to a “unanimous” view of players they wanted to mark both the work done by the NHS during the coronavirus crisis and BLM.

PREM BACKS MOVEMENT

He said: “I think it is perfectly possible to support Black Lives Matter - the sentiment - without being seen to support any political organisation.

“We are an apolitical organisation but I think we are happy to support the players.

“It is the right moment to do it and for the first time I feel that players managers leagues and clubs are on the same page on the issue of discrimination and that feels to me like a positive step.”

League chiefs then issued their statement.

It read: “These three words have become an expression of unity for people from all communities who believe it is unacceptable to treat black people differently to anyone else.

“The Premier League offered this backing as we wholly agree with the players’ single objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists.

“We are unequivocal in the belief that there is no room for racism in our competition, football as a whole, or the wider community.

“However, we do not endorse any political organisation or movement, nor support any group that calls for violence or condones illegal activity and are aware of the risk posed by groups that seek to hijack popular causes and campaigns to promote their own political views.

“These actions are entirely unwelcome and are rejected by the Premier League and all other professional football bodies.”