Premier League players will wear 'Black Lives Matter' on the back of their shirts instead of their surnames during the first round of matches after the season restarts next week. The move is part of several initiatives agreed by clubs at a meeting on Thursday to show support for the anti-racism movement.
The shirt tribute was proposed by a group of Premier League captains and representatives of the Professional Footballers' Association. Kit staff have been instructed to prepare shirts with the slogan. Additionally, heart-shaped badges will honour NHS workers, and 'Black Lives Matter' badges will be embroidered on the front of shirts, though their exact placement is yet to be finalised.
The league has no objection if players or teams wish to take a knee before games. Concerns about players receiving yellow cards for revealing slogans when removing shirts were discussed, and referees are expected to use discretion in such cases.
The meeting, which lasted less than an hour, saw clubs unanimously approve matchday protocols on player health and safety, clearing the way for the season to resume with Aston Villa versus Sheffield United on 17 June.
The Premier League confirmed it would not implement the Rooney Rule, which requires at least one BAME candidate to be interviewed for coaching vacancies. Brighton manager Graham Potter said the lack of opportunities for black and minority ethnic coaches must be addressed, emphasising the need to understand the historical context of inequality.
Separately, new Fifa regulations allow leagues to open transfer windows before the season ends, but Premier League chief executive Richard Masters stated that clubs cannot sign players before 25 July, after the campaign concludes.
