Premier League to replace player names with 'Black Lives Matter' for restart

Following the killing of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after a white officer kneeled on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, the English Football Association and German Bundesliga both permitted players to offer in-game protests and demonstrations regarding social-justice issues such as police violence.

England's top-flight will go one step further for the league's June 17 restart by replacing names on shirts with "Black Lives Matter" for the opening 12 fixtures of the campaign's resumption. Shirts will also include a "BLM" logo and a tribute to healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontlines for the rest of the season.

Per an official statement, players from all 20 clubs announced:

"We, the Players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for All, regardless of their colour or creed. This symbol is a sign of unity from all Players, all Staff, all Clubs, all Match Officials and the Premier League #blacklivesmatter #playerstogether."

The Premier League added:

"The Premier League stands alongside players, clubs, The FA, EFL, PFA, LMA, PGMOL and all those who oppose discrimination in any form.

"The League supports the players’ wish to have their names replaced by Black Lives Matter on the back of their shirts for the first 12 matches of the restarted 2019/20 season.

"A Black Lives Matter logo will also feature on shirts for the remainder of the season, along with a badge thanking the NHS for their work during the COVID-19 crisis.

"In addition, the League will support players who 'take a knee' before or during matches."

During earlier training sessions, players from clubs such as Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Chelsea honored Floyd by taking a knee, the protest act made popular by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick when he kneeled during the 2016 NFL season to protest police brutality and racial injustices. 

The United States Soccer Federation recently repealed a policy that threatened to ban players who refused to stand during the Star-Spangled Banner. 

No national anthems play ahead of Premier League fixtures.