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Washington Redskins to ‘review’ name amid anti-racism campaign

The logo of NFL side the Washington Redskins: Getty Images
The logo of NFL side the Washington Redskins: Getty Images

The Washington Redskins have confirmed they’re planning to “review” their name after increased pressure from anti-racism groups.

The formal review, announced by the NFL franchise on Friday, “formalises the initial discussion the team has been having with the league in recent weeks” according to a team statement.

It follows calls from FedEx, the chief naming rights partner for the team’s home stadium, to change the controversial name.

Nike also appeared to drop Redskins apparel from the website in recent days.

Native American groups have long campaigned for a change arguing that both the name of the team and the main logo are racist.

“This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from our alumni, the organisation, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field,” team owner Dan Snyder said.

The team last week removed the name of racist founder George Preston Marshall from its Ring of Fame at FedEx Field, and a monument to him was removed from the site of the old RFK Stadium.

The NFL are pushing on with plans for the 2020 season to get underway as planned in September despite the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The preseason is likely to be reduced from four games to, at the most, two with fans unlikely to be allowed inside stadiums.

It emerged earlier on Friday that ”Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song often referred to as the Black national anthem, will play prior to the kickoff of week one games.

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Sponsor FedEx asks Washington Redskins to change their name