Activists threaten to derail BLM support

LEADING Premier League stars are fighting to distance themselves from the politicisation of the Black Lives Matter movement, amid growing concern over the official campaign’s activism.

The group of captains established during the shutdown to represent players were consulted over yesterday’s statement from the Premier League — and drafted jointly by the League and the players’ union, the PFA — which condemned the BLM movement’s political activism.

The official BLM UK Twitter account has lately called for the overthrow of capitalism, defunding of the police and an end to free trade with Israel.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters was accused of “opening a can of worms” by Sunderland MP Julie Elliott over the top flight’s support for the Black Lives Matter message during a grilling by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee yesterday.

Masters insisted that the League, who have had no dealings with the official BLM campaign, remain apolitical but described the movement as a “moral cause” and “unique”.

In the strongly-worded statement, the League reiterated support for “the message that black lives matter” but added: “We do not endorse any political organisation or movement, nor support any group that calls for violence or condones illegal activity. These actions are unwelcome and are rejected by the League.”

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Patrice Evra and presenter Kelly Cates last night declined to wear the Black Lives Matter badge for coverage of Manchester United’s win at Brighton.