Burnley's Ben Mee slams 'White Lives Matter' banner plane: 'We are embarrassed they tried to attach it to our club'

Plane flew over the Etihad Stadium moments after kick-off on Monday night

A "White Lives Matter Burnley" banner is seen tied to a plane above the Etihad Stadium. Reuters

A plane towing a banner reading 'White Lives Matter Burnley' is seen in the sky above the stadium during the match between Manchester City and Burnley. AFP

Referee Andre Marriner and Burnley captain kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign. Reuters

Burnley manager Sean Dyche takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. AFP

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Burnley defender James Tarkowski take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Manchester City and Burnley players observe a minute's silence before the match for the victims of the coronavirus disease.

Burnley captain Ben Mee said he was "ashamed and embarrassed" after a plane carrying a banner that read 'White Lives Matter Burnley' was flown over the Etihad Stadium during Monday night's Premier League game against Manchester City.

The plane flew over the ground just after the match had started and therefore moments after all players and staff had kneeled in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Players' jerseys also had their names replaced with 'Black Lives Matter' to show solidarity and help raise awareness of the campaign.

"Fans like that don't deserve to be around football," Mee told BBC Radio 5 Live after Burnley's 5-0 defeat to City. "We're ashamed, we're embarrassed.

"It's a minority of our supporters - I know I speak for a massive part of our support who distance themselves from anything like that.

"It definitely had a massive impact on us to see that in the sky. We are embarrassed that our name was in it, that they tried to attach it to our club - it doesn't belong anywhere near our club."

Burnley also released a statement condemning the banner.

"We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor.

"We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter.

"The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning community scheme, and stands against racism of any kind.

"We are fully behind the Premier League's Black Lives Matter initiative and, in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at kick-off at Manchester City."