London (AFP)

Manchester City cleared up routine business by crushing Burnley (5-0) on Monday for matchday 30 of the Premier League, after a tainted game overflying a plane firing a far-right banner "White Lives Matter ".

Just before the match, the two teams, their staffs and the referees had put their knees on the ground in tribute to the anti-racism movement and to fight against police violence "Black Lives Matter", in accordance with the protocol followed before all Premier League matches since the reprise.

But a few minutes after kick-off, a passenger plane flew over the stadium, firing the slogan meaning "The lives of whites matter", used by the far right.

An incident that the Sky Sports television channel, which broadcast the match, did not show, but was commented on on social networks.

The Burnley club, a former mining and industrial town north of Manchester and a longtime electoral bastion of the British far right, quickly reacted in a statement to "strongly condemn" the banner.

"This in no way represents what the Burnley Football Club is fighting for and we will cooperate with the authorities to identify those responsible and take the appropriate measures," the club continued in its statement.

"We want to make it clear that not everyone responsible is welcome at Turf Moor," the club's stadium.

- Knee to the ground -

In recent years, English football has been very harsh on supporters with racist or homophobic behavior, not hesitating to ban them for life from stadiums.

Premier League players unanimously decided that everyone would kneel for the first matches of the Premier League restart, a move popularized by the protests that followed the death of George Floyd, African-American father killed by a police officer in late May in Minneapolis, the United States.

The slogan "Black Lives Matter" also appears on the back of all jerseys in place of the players' names and will remain on a badge until the end of the season.

This incident did not, however, disrupt the course of the match itself, nor of the demonstration of Manchester City, which already led 3-0 at the break thanks to a goal by Phil Foden (22) and a double from Riyad Mahrez ( 43, 45 + 2 sp).

David Silva (51) and Foden, also author of a double (63), have made the addition stronger against Burnley, who could not even complete his match sheet, some players, at the end of the contract at the end of June and who will not be extended, having refused to take part in the meeting.

With this victory, Manchester City (2nd, 63 pts) returns to 20 points from leader Liverpool, which means that if they do not lose ground on the Reds on the next day, they will further delay the coronation of the men of Jürgen Klopp.

Liverpool will receive Crystal Palace on Wednesday and City will challenge Chelsea on Thursday. A week later, the first two of the championship will meet at the Etihad Stadium for what could be a passing from the defending champion to his successor.

Burnley, 11th with 39 points, has little to fear or expect from the last 8 days.

© 2020 AFP