After 100 days of forced rest, the Premier League resumed its rights Wednesday by paying tribute to the "Black Lives Matter" movement and to the healthcare workers who fought against the Covid-19 pandemic. First on the bridge, the players from Aston Villa and Sheffield United, but also the teams on the bench and the referees, put a knee on the ground for a few seconds, a symbolic gesture of the movement to combat racism and police violence.
"Aston Villa and Sheffield United were proud to show solidarity, through the action of players and staff of both teams, during the first ten seconds of tonight's match, expressing their collective support for the" Black Lives Matter "movement, said the two clubs in a joint statement.
All the players wore the slogan "Black Lives Matter" written on the back of the shirts, instead of their name, as will be the case for the Manchester City-Arsenal match in the evening and for the 10 games of the 30th day this week-end.
A very strong gesture of the most watched championship in the world and whose return was awaited by millions of supporters around the globe. For the 80 other matches remaining this season, a "Black Lives Matter" logo will be affixed on the jerseys, as well as another thanking the British Health Services (NHS), PL said.
Just before that, the players observed a minute of silence in tribute to the British Health Services (NHS) which fought against the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus.
Wretched banners
A very emotional moment for Aston Villa coach Dean Smith, whose father died of the disease recently. Ron Smith has long worked as a steward at Villa Park and a fluorescent orange jacket with the number 79, as his age at the time of his death, had been posed in his tribute in the stands.
After recoveries from the Bundesliga, La Liga and the Italian Cup, English football fans had a first glimpse of the post-coronavirus Premier League with this match between the relegated Villa and the surprising European contender , Sheffield. The Villa Park, usually very noisy, sounded hollow and the banners of supporters spread all over the stands were nothing more than a cover-up.
The craze should come quickly, however, despite these special conditions and the near certainty of seeing Liverpool crowned at the end of the season, 30 years after its last title.
Behind the Reds, the fight for Europe or for maintenance promises suspense, spectacle and intensity, despite the specific sanitary conditions.
The second match of the day (9:15 pm) between Manchester City and Arsenal will be much more important, since if City loses, it will open the door of the title in Liverpool on Sunday, in case of victory of the Reds in the derby against Everton.
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