Burnley fans heard jeers from players as they took to their knees for their Premier League curtain raiser with Manchester City
A collection of Burnley fans were booed by players who went to the knee in their opening Premier League game of the season against Manchester City.
The pre-kick-off gesture, intended to signal opposition to racism, has been a familiar sight to Premier League supporters since 2020, but unfortunately faced some backlash from a minority of fans.
Now it seems that Turf Moor has been the setting for a small number of crowd voices to express their views on the anti-racism stance.
Anger was heard from a small number of Burnley fans as players from both the Clarets and Manchester City went to the knee before the opening game of the Premier League season.
The reaction could be heard on the live coverage of the match, as Burnley resigned their return to the top flight against reigning champions Pep Guardiola.
Burnley and Manchester City players kneel before their Premier League meeting
Anger could be heard from a small number of Burnley fans as players took the knee
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It is not the first time that Burnley fans have expressed their displeasure at players who went through the knee. They were accused of the same reaction during a game against Brighton in their last spell in the Premier League.
At the time, then-captain Ben Mee spoke out against the small number of fans and expressed disappointment at hearing the boos.
“It’s disappointing to hear that, but there was a lot of applause,” he said. “Of course disappointing to hear the booing.
“I don’t know how many times as players we have to repeat the reasons why we continue to kneel.
“It gets to a point where if you’re booed, it doesn’t look good for those individuals, does it?
It took Erling Haaland just three minutes to open his pre-season account at Turf Moor
“Continue to support us and support us in what we are trying to achieve as a group of players and a football community.
“We don’t have to keep repeating why we’re doing it – and support would be more than welcome.”
Things didn’t fare much better for Vincent Kompany on the pitch either, with his Burnley side losing 1-0 to the Premier League champions within three minutes.
Erling Haaland opened his account for the season by sliding home from close range, before the Norwegian would add his and City’s second before the break.