Los Angeles (AFP)

The Professional Football League (NFL) has pledged to donate $ 250 million (approximately € 221 million) over 10 years to help combat racial injustice, he said. she announced Thursday.

"The NFL is increasing its efforts to work for social justice, with a $ 250 million fund over 10 years to fight systemic racism and support the fight against the current and historic injustices faced by African-Americans ", the statement said.

"The NFL and our clubs will continue to work with NFL players to support criminal justice and police reform programs and advance education," said the agency.

"In addition to our financial commitment, we will continue to take advantage of the NFL's communications network to put more emphasis on raising awareness and promoting education on social justice issues among our fans and thus contribute to foster unity, "she concludes.

This initiative of the most powerful professional sports league in North America confirms, by the way of the wallet in any case, the promise made by its commissioner Roger Goodell to support the protests and actions against racial injustices, after the death of George Floyd .

Last Sunday, he apologized to the many players in the league for not having listened to them earlier when they asked the NFL to condemn racism.

"We the NFL condemn racism and systematic oppression of blacks. We the NFL admit that we were wrong not to have listened to the players in the league earlier. We the NFL encourage everyone to speak out and to protest peacefully, "he said in a burst of mea culpa.

The first reaction of the proceedings after the drama that occurred on May 25 in Minneapolis, where George Floyd, a 46 year old black man, died after his arrest by a white police officer, who supported a knee on his neck for more than eight minutes , made no reference to racism or police brutality.

This donation of $ 250 million made by a sports body is unprecedented in its proportion. Last Monday, NBA legend Michael Jordan made a pledge of $ 100 million, personally and through his brand Jordan Brand.

© 2020 AFP