02 July 2020

Crystal Palace distance themselves from political hijacking of BLM

Crystal Palace have distanced themselves from ‘political agendas’ aligning themselves with the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Eagles have become the first Premier League club to speak out after leaders of the BLM group opened up about their aims which included defunding the police and overthrowing capitalism.

Premier League players have come together in support of the BLM movement (PA)

Palace have said they will continue to support the movement but insist they do not want to be associated with the political baggage that now accompanies it.

A statement from the club read: "As people will have seen from our first home game, we have placed banners over our seated areas at Selhurst Park that read: BLACK LIVES MATTER.

"We stand proudly alongside members of the BAME community, our players and employees, and behind the ideals and ethos of 'black lives matter'.

"However, we would like to make clear that we do not endorse any pressure group or body that carries the same term in its name, and we strongly believe that organisations should not use this important force for change and positivity to push their own political agendas.

“We want to be part of a world that is fair, inclusive and open to all.”

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