Fans voice their disgust over 'White lives matter' fly-past at Man City Etihad Stadium

Granada
Wednesday 24 June 2020 at 12:25pm

Burnely fan say they're disgusted a plane flew a banner saying "White Lives Matter Burnley" over their Premier League football match.

The plane flew above the Etihad Stadium in Manchester just after kick-off between Manchester City and Burnley on Monday night.

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It happened moments after all players had taken the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Credit: PA

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Chief Superintendent Russ Procter, of Lancashire Police, said:

Air Ads, the firm believed to have been hired to fly the banner, is based in a hangar at Blackpool Airport.

A plane flies over the Etihad Stadium with a banner reading 'White Lives Matter Burnley' during the Premier League match against Burnley. Credit: PA

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The airport, run by Blackpool Council, said it would suspend banner flights from the facility.

Stephen Smith, Blackpool Airport Manager said the airport and the council were 'outraged' by the incident and said the banner was 'offensive and the action reprehensible'.

Blackpool Airport and Blackpool Council are outraged by this incident. We stand against racism of any kind and absolutely do not condone the activity, the message was offensive and the action reprehensible. The decision to fly the banner was taken entirely by the banner-flying company without the knowledge or approval of the airport or Blackpool Council. Due to the nature of the activity, banners are not checked before take-off and the content is at the operator's discretion. The incident was reported to the police yesterday evening and the Civil Aviation Authority has been notified. Blackpool Airport are investigating the banner operator in question and further action will be taken by the board tomorrow. Following an emergency review this morning, Blackpool Airport will suspend all banner-towing operations at the airport with immediate effect, and we would suggest that other airports should also consider this approach in light of what has happened at Blackpool.

Ariel view of Blackpool Airport where the firm believed to have been hired to fly the banner is based at one if its hangars. Credit: Blackpool Council

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There was no response from calls made to Air Ads by the PA news agency.

A man at the hangar, an ex-pilot who did not want to be named and claimed to know the Air Ads pilot, said the firm had been run by Alan Elliott, who died a few weeks ago.

He claimed Mr Elliott's family had taken a back seat and a pilot was hired when they had orders to fly banners.

He said banners are made to order, with flight costs of around £700, and the pilot would be paid around £100 per flight.

He added: "We would assume whoever paid for the banner would get done for it."

Burnley FC issued a strong statement condemning the banner during half-time and said the perpetrators would be banned for life if identified.

Speaking after the match, Burnley manager Sean Dyche, said the actions of those responsible were 'unacceptable'.

As Elaine Willcox reports the condemnation of those responsible has been widespread and many in the town think it's a stunt that's backfired. Burnley fans say they were disgusted by it.

While captain Ben Mee said he was "ashamed and embarrassed" about the incident.

Burnley Tory MP Antony Higginbotham also condemned the message, saying on Twitter: "Last night's awful stunt was done by a small minority to offend and cause hurt to so many in our community.

"Those responsible should be ashamed of their desire to divide. They don't speak for our town and @BurnleyOfficial has my full support in taking action against them."