Sports News

After recent events that uncovered the appalling lack of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) presence at a leadership level in the sport sector here in the UK, Recently it was reported there were only 5 black women on sports boards out of 415. We at Sporting Equals felt it key to highlight the lack of equality of opportunity in recruitment in our sector and how it impacts BAME communities.

Equality of opportunity in employment translates to, fairness in which all job applicants are treated similarly, unhampered by artificial barriers or prejudices or preferences, except when particular distinctions can be explicitly justified. Allowing each viable candidate an equal chance of success in securing employment.

The lack of equality of opportunity is prevalent in the sport sector. With potentially 95% of senior management, board members and the workforce being white. This lack of presence had already been acknowledged with change implemented by the FA to remedy the problem of racial prejudice hindering hiring practices in the sector looking at coaching specifically.

The FA introduced the ‘Rooney Rule’ – this rule implements a procedure whereby sporting authorities– must interview a BAME applicant when recruiting for senior coaching positions, on the basis that they meet the role specification. There is no quota or preference given to BAME communities in the hiring of candidates the rule simply reinforced equality of opportunity to worthy candidates, while accounting for unconscious and conscious bias against race. This rule first trialled in the USA to aid with similar issues of racial prejudice impacting hiring procedure in the NFL.

The FA followed suit and adopted the ‘Rooney Rule’ in 2018.

We feel it is pivotal to replicate the ‘Rooney Rule’ across the sport sector at every level from Board and senior positions right down to entry level, to ensure the eradication of nepotism within the sector tackling conscious and unconscious bias and dismantling of racially prejudiced hiring practices by allowing for candidates of all backgrounds who fit the role specifications to have an equal footing. We wish to go beyond coaching and leadership, looking at the sector as a whole. We must extend this rule across the board to create fairer and more equal recruiting practices in our sector. Recently the Minister for Sport Nigel Huddleston highlighted that he is open to looking at targets and reviewing implementing a ‘Rooney Rule’ structure here in the UK.

There is a severe lack of representation, diversity and equality when looking at race in the UK’s sport sector. An implementation of the ‘Rooney Rule’ across all levels of the sport sector would only positively affirm and ensure we are vetting, interviewing and hiring the best possible candidate – thus allowing for and protecting equality of opportunity.

We must now act and commit to making changes that will give real and visible results which we can measure and evaluate, this is a necessity if progress and equality is to be achieved.

Formula 1 has launched an equality and diversity taskforce to increase the opportunities for minority groups.

The move is part of a wider commitment that will also see F1 support initiatives fighting against the coronavirus pandemic and promote sustainability.

It coincides with the start of the delayed 2020 season in Austria in July.

Formula 1 boss Chase Carey said: “At our first race in Austria, Formula 1 will stand united to say loud and clear that racism

It follows after Lewis Hamilton announced plans to set up a commission in his name to increase diversity in motorsport.

The current – and six time – world champion said that he wants the Hamilton Commission to make “real, tangible and measurable changes”.

In a newspaper column he said: “Despite my success in the sport, the institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist.

“It is not enough to point to me, or to a single new Black hire, as a meaningful example of progress”.

Parents are being offered an online ‘sports day at home’ pack thanks to a leading housebuilder’s partnership with Team GB.
 
With the current Covid-19 crisis still unfolding, many parents have had to get used to home schooling amid the uncertainty of when their children will return to school.
 
Now Persimmon Homes Central, thanks to its ongoing partnership with The British Olympic Association, is offering parents the chance to download special sports packs for free and start planning their own sports day at home.
 
World Championship silver medallist and Team GB Tokyo 2020 hopeful Laviai Nielsen (athletics) helped to launch the virtual sports day scheme.
 
The campaign also includes a social media competition asking people to take a picture or video of their home sports day and either comment on Facebook or upload to Instagram with the hashtag #PersimmonSportsDay to be in with a chance of winning a £250 Amazon voucher.
 
Neil Williams, managing director of Persimmon Homes Central,  said: “We are all going through unprecedented times, and we hope that our sports day campaign will bring a smile to people’s faces and help households plan a day of fun and activity. These packs are designed to help inspire the sporting passion of the younger generation.”
 
The sports day packs support the British Olympic Foundation’s youth engagement programme, Get Set, created to inspire a generation of young people and celebrate the Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship.
 
Last year, the housebuilder supported schools by sending out free Team GB sports day packs, to help give events a special Olympic and Team GB twist.
 
To download a virtual sports day pack, visit https://www.persimmonhomes.com/sportsday

Famous Birmingham site, Sarehole Mill, is asking Birmingham’s citizens to grab their trainers and take part in a new 5K challenge, Run of the Mill, to help raise vital funds for Birmingham Museums Trust.

Over the last 11 weeks Sarehole Mill has adapted its offering to keep engaged with the local community and now the team are encouraging us all the explore the area around the 250-year-old watermill and enjoy the benefits of getting active with this new event.  

You can run, walk or jog the 5K distance anytime during July, as long as you start or finish at Sarehole Mill and complete the distance in one go. The £10 entry fee will help to raise money to support the work of Birmingham Museums, a charity with nine extraordinary museum and historic properties across the city, including Sarehole Mill, which is the inspiration for this fun run.

Participants will get an exclusive Run of the Mill medal, which they will collect from the Sarehole Mill Community Shop and can go the extra mile and fundraise further to help Birmingham Museums if they are able to do so.

During this time the team at Sarehole Mill have worked hard to adapt and support the local community. You may have visited the Community Shop, which is stocked with essentials, such as flour and tin goods; enjoyed a freshly baked loaf using the Bake and Take service made by resident baker Sis Kaur; or ordered a recipe kit box, with everything you need to make one of Sarehole Mill’s popular Bakehouse pizzas.  

While Sarehole Mill has been able to adapt, the other eight Birmingham Museums’ sites, including Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and Aston Hall, have had to remain closed because of the Coronavirus pandemic. These initiatives have helped to keep Sarehole Mill to stay connected to local people, but this continues to be a challenging time for Birmingham Museums.  

Alex Nicholson-Evans, Commercial Director at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We’ve had such an amazing level of support from the local community at Sarehole Mill during this time, and it’s been fantastic to see people visiting the shop, buying fresh bread and sharing positive feedback about the Bakehouse. But this is still a very challenging time for Birmingham Museums, as the majority of our sites are still closed. Run of the Mill is a great way to help us raise funds, whilst also getting active.

“Many of us are appreciating the outdoors more than ever and we wanted to capture this by launching Run of the Mill throughout July. Whether you walk, jog or run, you’ll get to explore the beautiful surroundings of Sarehole Mill, receive an exclusive medal, and help Birmingham Museums too.”  

For more information about how to enter the run and how to fundraise visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/blog/posts/run-of-the-mill-sarehole-mill-fun-run-open-for-entries. This includes a 5K route suggestion.

The return of Premier League football last night caused a nationwide spike in data traffic on the O2 network from the week before, as fans streamed the games live.
 
Data traffic started to increase after 4pm and began to peak at 6pm.

The busiest hour was 8pm – just before kick-off for the Manchester City vs Arsenal match – where O2 saw a 13% increase in the amount of data used nationwide.
 
The home cities of the four teams playing last night saw differing patterns. Interestingly, Liverpool saw one of the largest spikes (21% at 7pm) as fans hoped for a potential City loss.

Sheffield – 7pm 24% increase in data traffic
Birmingham – 7pm 13% increase in data traffic
Manchester – 8pm 21% increase in data traffic
London – 8pm 11% increase in data traffic 

Brendan O’Reilly, Chief Technology Officer at O2, said: “Our data shows that the football is bringing Britain together again – whether that’s chatting via text or calls, or online sporting ‘Watch Parties’ – with yesterday’s matches allowing us to return to some sense of normality. During lockdown, O2 has doubled elements of our network capacity to ensure Britain stays connected and it’s great to see we’ve been able to help fans watch football again.”
  
Since the lockdown began, O2 has offered its customers 388 million free minutes, as well as 3 million GB of data to NHS employees at the forefront of efforts to battle the coronavirus and rebuild Britain.
 
O2 experienced an initial 25% increase in phone calls as Britons checked on their friends and family, with people spending 30% longer on the phone since lockdown.

Bowler Kemar Roach has declared that “there will be no friendship” when West Indies face England fast-bowler, Jofra Archer during the upcoming Test series.

Barbados-born Archer played three times for the West Indies Under-19s before opting to play for England before playing for his new adopted team against the Windies side in the ICC World Cup in 2019.

This summer will be the first time that will face time that he will come up against them in a Test match.

Fellow Barbadian Roach said: “It is all about playing hard cricket and winning.

“Jofra’s made a decision and I think that he’s doing a fantastic job for his career.

“Obviously there will be no friendship at the start of this series.

“It’s all about winning and playing our cricket. If we come up against Jofra, we will devise a fantastic plan to counter it. I’m looking forward to the battle”.

Archer claimed 20 wickets to help England win the maiden 50-over World Cup in 2019, before making his Test debut in the Ashes series against Australia.

Former England Women’s Football star, Enio Aluko has said that she has “acknowledged and accepted” former international teammate, Nikita Parris’ apology for a controversial goal celebration in 2017.

The international striker described celebrating with the then-England coach, Mark Sampson, who was accused of using discriminating language to Aluko, as “thoughtless”.

In response, on her social media platform, Eni wrote: ‘Although I’m yet to speak with Nikita, I acknowledge and accept this apology.

‘Thanks.

‘Black women should always strive for unity not division.’

Aluka, now Sporting Director of Aston Villa Women’s football team, added: “During the current climate, Nikita leads the way for the England Women’s football team in acknowledging and addressing past individual and collective actions with regards to racism”.

After scoring a goal against Russia, Parris, 26, pointedly ran to Sampson to celebrate in their 6-0 World Cup qualifying victory in 2017.

The former Manchester City player who now plays in France for Lyon wrote on social media: ‘At the time I focussed more on what I believed was showing unity when really it did nothing of the sort. It showed a lack of empathy, understanding and ignorance by singling out a voice that needed an ear to listen and a support system to help’.

In the aftermath, Eni said that Parris’ celebrations were not respectful considering the number of complaints against the former manager at the time.

The English Football Association apologised to the 102-capped Alluko for racially discriminatory remarks made by Sampson after a third investigation into his behaviour, but cleared him of bullying accusations.

At eight-years-old, Tanitoluwa Adewumi was already a ‘Champion’ after winning the K-3 New York State Chess Championship after playing the game for only one year.

The Nigerian-born schoolboy, who began playing the game just to pass the time whilst sitting in his father’s shop in Abuja, was beating all before him from the get-go.

It was after his father, Kayode, who ran a print shop in his homeland and accountant mother, Oluwatoyin, took him and his brother, Adesina Austin, immigrated to the United States – having (being Christians) sought religious asylum amid the political turmoil being undertaken back home by the Boko Haram organisation.

Whilst being homeless in a foreign country, his parents making it one of their priorities to maintain the education of their children, Tani was enrolled into an elementary school and, as during his early days there, he was introduced to a chess club by one of the teachers and in 2018 he played in his first tournament.

In 2019 Tani competed in the Annual New York State Scholarship Championships where he was graded eighth out of 74 competitors – with a large number of whom were from well-to-do families and could afford private tuition.

His youthful, aggressive style of play would get learned academics making scientific studies of his application to the game.

Leading YouTube chess stream ‘agadmator’ took time to publish and analyse his game.

Legendary former World Champion, Garry Kasporaov, heaped massive praise on the achievement by a refugee immigrant in America.

And, back in his native Nigeria, Abike Dabiri, the Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to the president, Muhammad Buhari, called Tani; “a pride of the nation”.

Back in the US, he was getting attention throughout, which includes invites to meet former president Bill Clinton and being interviewed on some of the country’s leading broadcasting organisations – all keen to find out more about the enigma that is Tanitoluwa Adewumi.

Furthermore, he was getting funding support – the likes of which would set him, and his family, up educationally and wellbeing-wise from then on.

A total in excess of $254,000 was raised, with offers of accommodation, for him and his family, on-going education, chess books and even cars were pouring in - in droves.

There is now even a trust called the ‘Tanitoluwa Adewumi Foundation’ which is set up to help other children who are in similar situations to him.

With the ambition to becoming the youngest ever chess Grandmaster, three of Hollywood’s leading film companies are trying to outbid each other for the rights to tell his story.

His autobiography; ‘My Name Is Tani’, is already out in book stores.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will start 24 hours later than the original scheduled time because of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the sporting calendar.

The move will allow all the athletes who are competing at the World Athletics Championships in Portland, Oregon, in the United States – which finishes on July 24 – an extra day of recovery.

It will also avoid a clash the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Football Championships which is due to take place in England from July 6 to 31.

Both Championships were originally scheduled to be held in 2021 but had to be postponed to 2022 after the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics following the global outbreak of coronavirus.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive Board has approved the change for the Games and it will now run from July 28 to August 8.

A joint announcement from the CGF said: “It ensures that Birmingham 2022 will now boast two full weekends of Commonwealth Sport whilst extending the rest and recovery period for those athletes competing in the World Athletics Championships.

“The alternative to the opening ceremony date also avoids a potential clash with the semi-finals of the recently rescheduled UEFA Women’s Football Championships, helping to protect and promote the profile of women’s sport”.

John Crabtree, Chair of Birmingham 2022 said: “As well as this slight change to our dates we are working on a detailed competition schedule for our 19 sports, looking at how we can maximise the recovery time for those athletes who will be looking to participate in more than one major event in two years time”.

On their return to action, England’s Premier League clubs are set to replace players’ names on the back of jerseys with the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ for the first games back since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic brought all activities in the UK, and around the world, to a stand-still.

The proposed intention, which is yet to be finalised, is for clubs across the country’s top Division will sport the support for the movement when the league returns on June 17

The decision by the Premier League follows support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the Bundesliga in Germany.

There, Bayern Munich players wore warm-up shirts and armbands with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ message on them, whilst Eintracht Frankfurt wore jerseys with the same message.

Following the lead taken by the Bundesliga, which subsequently followed recommendations by FIFA to not discipline players who were in violation of the Laws of the Game for displays of political or personal slogans on the field, the Football Association in England, who previously indicated that it would take steps against such acts, have said in a statement: “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 the context.

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

As coronavirus continues to take hold, in addition, the Premier League club’s jerseys are also set to feature patches that will honour the National Health Service workers for their extensive work during the pandemic.

Progress in the fight against racism will only come in football when more Black players become managers, according to Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been taking part in anti-racism marches and protests throughout the length and breadth of the UK, following the murder of American George Floyd, in Minneapolis, in the USA.

“The protests are a great starting point to making people’s voices heard”, he said.

“But just protesting alone is not going to make a change in this country”.

He went on to say: “The change is being able to speak to people in Parliament, people at the hierarchy at my football club, clubs across the country, people at the national team, to implement change and give equal chances to not just Black coaches, but coaches from across Britain’s wide multi ethnic communities”.

In 2018, the Football Association announced in an equality action plan that 5% of its leadership roles and 14% of England coaching staff were filled by people from a BAME background.

In the same plan, the FA set targets of 11% and 20% respectively.

“When there’s someone from a Black background I can go to in the FA with a problem”, Raheem went on to say, “I might have within the club, that will be when I know change is happening and not just in my field, also in Parliament”.

England manager Gareth Southgate, who has always encouraged his players to speak out and say what’s on their mind, said that he admired the way in which many of his national team have campaigned since the George Floyd murder in the United States.

He said: “The last few days have seen Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings talking so eloquently about the situation across the world and the Black Lives Matter movement”.

On the stance taken by Sterling, he added: “Football is no different to any other big business and it too must change”.

In today’s multi-culturally diverse football in today’s multi-culturally diverse Britain; how multi-culturally diverse is today’s boardrooms who are appointing the managers?

Germany’s top flight Bundesliga teams showed their support for the ever-growing Black Lives Matter movement with a range of protests during fixtures throughout the country over the weekend.

Both Borussia Dortmund and Herther Berlin players all took a knee together around the centre circle before their meeting at Signul Iduma Park.

Dortmund players warmed up in T-shirts with messages which included ‘No Peace, No Justice’, and ‘United Together’.

Bayern Munich players wore T-shirts which said ‘Red Against Racism’ before their 4-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen.

During the game, the Bundesliga leaders also wore armbands which read ‘Black Lives Matter’.

Mainz’s Cameroon-born striker, Pierre Kunde took a knee after scoring his side’s second goal in their 2-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Around the world, record-breaking Grand Slam legend, Serena Williams, France’s World Cup-winning captain, Paul Pogba and six-time Formula 1 Grand Prix champion Lewis Hamilton MBE have all raised their voices over police brutality against Black people.

It has been announced that golf’s European Tour UK Championship will take place at The Belfry’s world-class, award-winning Brabazon course, which has a rich golfing history having previously hosted a number of significant golf events including The Ryder Cup four times – more than any other venue in the world – and 16 European Tour events, producing some of the most dramatic moments in the history of golf.

While The Belfry is no stranger to hosting high-profile golfing events, the 2020 UK Championship will be the first event of this nature held at the resort since the British Masters in 2008, firmly placing The Belfry back on the tour agenda. The Championship will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and will see the best players in the game back on The Belfry’s most iconic course.

James Macbeth Stewart, Resort Director at The Belfry, said: “We are very proud to be hosting the UK Swing’s UK Championship and to be playing a part in getting golf back up and running. It is also a chance for us to help get the economy moving again as lockdown restrictions lift.

“After a tough few months, we are delighted to see a positive outlook for the future of golf, and we look forward to welcoming players back on the course.”

Following the suspension of the season due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, the European Tour announced its plans for the resumption of the 2020 season with the launch of a new six‐week UK Swing, beginning in July 2020. 

The European Tour will take place behind closed doors and for the UK Championship, will have exclusive use of The Belfry Hotel & Resort with the safety and wellbeing of all players, guests and staff being top priority.

The Belfry Hotel & Resort, in Royal Sutton Coldfield, North Warwickshire, will play host to the UK Championship, the conclusion of The European Tour’s new ‘UK Swing’, from 27 to 30 August 2020.

British Athletics are joining forces with British Cycling and British Rowing’ and iconic BBC children’s television show Blue Peter to run, cycle and row the distance from Manchester to Tokyo in just 30 days.

Now officially launched, the ‘Train Your Way to Tokyo’ challenge will see Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell team up with athletes from athletics, cycling and rowing to cover the 9948km distance from the Blue Peter studio in Salford to the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo.

Averaging at over 300km a day across the 30 days, Lindsey will try her hand at all three sports and get an insight into how Olympic and Paralympic athletes are currently training.

She will combine her total with the athletes taking part, all completing the challenge from inside their own homes or outdoors within the current government guidance.

Lindsey will be mentored by five-time European champion Laura Muir for the running part of the challenge while British teammates Charlotte Purdue, Melissa Courtney-Bryant, Callum Hawkins, Oliver Dustin, Alex Botterill and Derek Rae among others are counting their kilometres covered in training over the 30-day period towards the overall total. From cycling, Olympic and world champion Elinor Barker is acting as a mentor to Lindsey as is Paralympic and world champion from rowing, Lauren Rowles.

The group effort is running until June 16 with the final film being shown on Blue Peter on June 18 at 17:30 on CBBC and iPlayer. The 2020 Sport Badge was designed by a Blue Peter viewer to celebrate the Olympic Games in Tokyo. To earn a sport badge, kids aged 6-15 must try a new way of getting active.

Five-time European champion, Laura, said: “It is great to be supporting Lindsey as part of Blue Peter’s ‘Train Your Way to Tokyo’ challenge. I loved the show when I was growing up and so jumped at the opportunity to take part. It was so exciting to receive the new Blue Peter badge and I hope everyone watching can learn something along the way.

“I’ll be contributing my normal training miles as part of the challenge and I am excited to be offering my support and tips and advice to Lindsey – I have no doubt she will do a fantastic job.”

Olympic and world champion Elinor Barker said: “I’m enjoying being part of the Train Your way to Tokyo challenge with Blue Peter and already in our first week, myself and my Great Britain Cycling Team teammates have clocked up a good number of kilometres in training to help Lindsey on her way. Hopefully, we will help to inspire the audience to take up more activity themselves especially as we’re in this difficult period of lockdown.”

Paralympic and world champion Lauren Rowles MBE added: “I’m incredibly excited to be part of the Train Your Way to Tokyo challenge with Blue Peter and our friends at British Cycling and British Athletics. During these tough times it’s more important than ever for kids and parents to stay active and I hope this challenge inspires them to get involved in sport and take on new challenges”.

Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell said: “Though I’ve completed many Blue Peter challenges, I’ve never taken on a multisport challenge quite like this. It’s daunting but I can’t wait to train with these incredible athletes and hopefully show what can be achieved by working together, all from our own homes.”

Premier League champions-elect Liverpool took a knee around the centre circle at their Anfield home ground to send out a message of support following the brutal death in police custody of African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis.

A picture shows 29 of the club’s players together with the caption ‘Unity is strength. #BlackLivesMatter’.

Other footballers showed their support with Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford of fellow Premier League giants Manchester United adding their voices to the worldwide protests against racism.

In Germany, England forward Jaden Sancho also showed his support for the protest by unveiling a T-shirt with the words ‘Just for George Floyd’ after scoring the first girl before completing a hat-trick for Borussia Dortmund in their Bundusliga game against Paderborn.

He was shown a yellow card for his gesture.

He later wrote on his Instagram: ‘Delighted to get my first hat-trick, a bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change.

‘We shouldn’t fear speaking out for what’s right, we have to come together as one & fight for justice.

‘We are stronger together!

‘#JusticeForFloydGeorge.’

In their game against Union Berlin, Borussia Moenchengladbach’s French striker Marcus Thuram celebrated the first of his two goals for the club by also taking a knee in support of George Floyd.

In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick protested against racial injustice and police brutality by taking a knee with the Black Power symbol of clenching his fist skywards during the United States national anthem.

Since then, the gesture has become symbolic to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Kaepernick’s stance was his way of replicating the Black Power gesture carried out by US Olympics medal-winning athletes Tommy Smith and John Carlos who both held their single clenched, black-gloved fists in protest against Black injustices in their country whilst on the medals podium as the US national anthem was being played during the 1968 Games in Mexico City.

At Liverpool, a point was made as each of the players stood around the centre circle whilst facing a camera that was high up in the stand, was they emphasised their point by wearing different versions of the club kit – some in red, others in their black away colour

They became the first Premier League club to publically offer support to the Black Lives Mattermovement,

England footballer was among a number of sports stars to add their voice to the worldwide protest against growing racism.

Protests have been held after George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, died while being restrained by Minneapolis police.

Sancho unveiled a ‘Justice 4 George Floyd’ T-shirt after scoring for Borussia Dortmund in their match against Paderborn.

He went on to complete the first hat-trick of his young career in his first start since the Bundesliga returned to action.

Earlier, Sancho’s teammate Marcus Thuram took a knee after scoring in the game.

In other sports, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown led a massive peaceful protest through downtown Atlanta, Georga, after putting out the call on social media for people to meet at the Martin Luther King Jr. national History Park after saying; “I will be peacefully protesting tomorrow.

LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick and Stephen Curry were among other high-profile sports stars in the US to speak out of the George Floyd death with James sharing a side-by-side image of the officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck and Kaepernick kneeling on the sidelines during the national anthem.

James, who is often vocal about issues facing Black Americans, wrote; ‘Do you understand NOW!!?? Or is it still blurred to you??”

Other stars who voiced their protests include tennis’ latest teenage sensation Coco Gauff, NFL’s number one draft pick for 20220, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Brown wide receiver Odel Beckham Jr.

Protesters took to the streets in New York, Detroit, Oakland, Dallas, Phoenix, Indianapolis, Denver, Atlanta, Portland and other US cities whilst outdoor protests also took place throughout the UK as thousands converged onto Trafalgar Square and the US Embassy in London, in Manchester city centre and Cardiff, in South Wales, in the UK, as well as in Canada and Germany

Denying the legitimacy of the protests in the US, President Trump stated, in defiance of fellow what Republicans and Democrats, by saying that there is “no racism” in the police force.

The police officer at the centre of the tragedy, Derek Chauvin, was sacked and has been charged with third degree murder of 46-year-old Floyd.