Burnley says it "strongly condemns" those behind a banner reading 'White Lives Matter Burnley' that was towed by an aircraft over Etihad Stadium during Monday's match against Manchester City.

The aircraft circled over the stadium just after kick-off in City's 5-0 win.

Burnley and City players and staff had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement moments earlier.

"Burnley strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the aircraft and offensive banner," said the club.

"We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor.

"We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter."

Burnley added that the banner "in no way represents" what the club stands for and that they will "work fully with the authorities to identify those responsible and take appropriate action".

Burnley captain Ben Mee said he and his team-mates also condemned the banner.

"We're ashamed, we're embarrassed," Mee told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It's a minority of our supporters - I know I speak for a massive part of our support who distance ourselves from anything like that.

"It definitely had a massive impact on us to see that in the sky.

"We are embarrassed that our name was in it, that they tried to attach it to our club - it doesn't belong anywhere near our club.

"Fans like that don't deserve to be around football."

Both Burnley and City were wearing shirts with the players' names replaced with 'Black Lives Matter'.

Since the Premier League resumed on 17 June after a 100-day hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, players and officials have been showing their support for the movement for racial equality following the death of George Floyd in the United States last month.

Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man, died as a white police officer held a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His death sparked protests around the world.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said seeing the banner was "disheartening".

"After how far we've come in these last couple of weeks, it really does hurt me," he told Sky Sports.

"I agree everyone should have free speech but when it looked like everything was on the up there's a small fraction who want to ruin it."

City and England forward Raheem Sterling said it was a "massive step" that players took a knee in support of Black Lives Matter on the opening night of the top-flight's return.

"The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning community scheme, and stands against racism of any kind," added Burnley.

"We are fully behind the Premier League's Black Lives Matter initiative and, in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at kick-off at Manchester City."

mikoyo200:
This isn't a joke.whoever is behind this should be sanctioned.people are condemning systematic racism and here we have some folks trying to ridicule the movement.not cool though

wizzyrich:
To be frank, any one that bleaches his skin to look like that of whites has low self esteem. Have you ever seen a white man trying to change his skin to black ?

I love MJ, but he's a big idiot for changing his skin. yea ! You can call me a racist, but sometimes, its good to treat people the same way they treat you.

Sorry for deviating anyways, fvck the whites !

wizzyrich:
To be frank, any one that bleaches his skin to look like that of whites has low self esteem. Have you ever seen a white man trying to change his skin to black ?

I love MJ, but he's a big idiot for changing his skin. yea ! You can call me a racist, but sometimes, its good to treat people the same way they treat you.

Sorry for deviating anyways, fvck the whites !

KopiteP:
True talk