NZ sports stars join outrage at death

Some of the biggest names in New Zealand sport have joined basketball superstar LeBron James in sharing their outrage over the death of US man George Floyd.

The African American man died after being pinned down by police in Minneapolis.

Undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, All Blacks Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara and Ngani Laumape plus All Whites defender Michael Boxall have all posted on social media in tribute to Floyd joining thousands of sports stars around the world outraged by the circumstances surrounding Floyd’s death.

Four officers involved in Floyd’s arrest have been fired and the FBI has started an investigation after a shocking video emerged showing a handcuffed Floyd on the ground, repeatedly saying ‘‘I can’t breathe’’ as a police officer had a knee on his neck.

Adesanya has shared several Instagram messages about Floyd’s death. ‘‘Seen the video and he has zero care for the man’s life even when urged by the bystanders,’’ Adesanya wrote of one of the officers who was kneeling on Floyd.

The current Halberg Awards, Sportsman of the Year, has previously talked of having to overcome racist abuse as a teenager and has become a champion against it.

He shared the powerful image posted by LeBron James captioned with ‘‘This . . . Is Why’’.

That image was shared by Savea, Perenara and Laumape.

Perenara also posted an image of a chart of ‘‘Overt White Supremacy (socially unacceptable)’’ and ‘‘Covert White Supremacy (socially acceptable)’’ listing many race-related issues.

Floyd’s death is close to home for All Whites star Boxall who lives in Minnesota.

He shared a social media post announcing the four MPD officers who responded to the incident would have their employment terminated with: ‘‘Unemployment doesn’t seem like a fitting punishment for murder.’’

The All Whites defender plays for Minnesota United in Major League Soccer.

Former All Black Lima Sopoaga, who plays for Wasps in the English Premiership, posted a photo tribute to Floyd with the caption: ‘‘Please I can’t breathe. My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts. They’re going to kill me.’’

Sporting stars around the world, including Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, have voiced their outrage at Floyd’s death.