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Chelsea add voice to calls for 'meaningful' change amid George Floyd protests: 'Enough is enough'

Twitter/@ChelseaFC
Twitter/@ChelseaFC

Chelsea have released a statement expressing their solidarity with George Floyd and all victims in the fight against "discrimination, brutality and injustice" while adding their voice to calls for change.

African-American man Mr Floyd died in police custody last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for at least eight minutes.

Chauvin was subsequently fired and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Following the incident, protests and demonstrations have raged in America and beyond, with plenty of sportspeople, clubs and organisations using their respective platforms to demand change.

Releasing their own statement on Monday evening, Premier League club Chelsea wrote: "Chelsea Football Club stands together with George Floyd and all victims in the fight against discrimination, brutality and injustice.

"As a club, we are committed to being a part of the solution, and we are joining our voice to all those calling for fairness, equality and meaningful change.

"Enough is enough. Together we are stronger."

Premier League rivals Liverpool also expressed their support on Monday, with their first-team squad pictured taking the knee at Anfield in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

The photograph was placed alongside the caption: “Unity is strength #BlackLivesMatter."

A number of players have also offered their support, including Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

He said: "At a time I've been asking people to come together, work together and be united, we appear to be more divided than ever. People are hurting and people need answers.

"Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communities matter. We matter."

Rashford's England team-mate Jadon Sancho has also addressed the issue, stating: "We shouldn't fear speaking out for what's right."

The Borussia Dortmund winger displayed the message 'Justice for George Floyd' on his undershirt after scoring the first goal of his hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Paderborn on Sunday.

Paul Pogba has also expressed his outrage, posting on his social media: "I felt anger, pity, hatred, indignation, pain, sadness. Sadness for George and for all black people who suffer from racism EVERY DAY! Whether in football, at work, at school, ANYWHERE."

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