Burnley condemn 'White Lives Matter' banner that flew over stadium

Burnley released a statement denouncing a banner towed behind a plane reading "White Lives Matter Burnley" that flew above the Etihad Stadium during Monday's match at Manchester City.

The plane appeared shortly after players from both Premier League sides took a knee prior to kickoff in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"This, in no way, represents what Burnley Football Club stands for and we will work fully with the authorities to identify those responsible and issue lifetime bans," Burnley's statement released at halftime of Monday's match read.

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

Players have been kneeling before matches as a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement since the Premier League resumed on June 17. The death of George Floyd while in police custody in late May helped spark worldwide protests against racial inequality and police brutality.

Premier League players' names on the back of their jerseys have also been replaced with "Black Lives Matter" for the first 12 fixtures of the restarted season.

"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 kickoff at Manchester City," Burnley's statement continued.

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

Burnley captain Ben Mee echoed the sentiments of the club after the match, saying: "We can talk about football, but there's something I want to speak about first. The airplane banner ... I'm ashamed, I'm embarrassed that a small number of our fans have decided to put that around the stadium. (They've) completely missed the point."

"These people need to come into the 21st century and educate themselves," Mee added.