French star Marcus Thuram and England international Jadon Sancho joined the protests over racism and police brutality in the United States on Sunday after scoring in the Bundesliga.
Thuram took a knee after scoring for Borussia Moenchengladbach in the game against Union Berlin.
Sancho marked his goal for Borussia Dortmund against Paderborn by lifting his jersey to reveal a T-shirt bearing the words “Justice for George Floyd”.
Thuram’s gesture echoed past protests by National Football League players in the US in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The issue has surged back into the headlines following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd during a police arrest in Minneapolis.
Sancho revealed his protest after scoring in the 57th minute – and was promptly yellow-carded for his troubles.
Thuram, a 22-year-old French striker, continued his recent hot form with two goals as Borussia Moenchengladbach beat visiting Union Berlin 4-1.
Because of social distancing rules, goal celebrations were muted but after Thuram headed his team’s second goal just before half-time he took the opportunity to make a solitary statement, kneeling and bowing his head.
At half-time, his club tweeted a photo with the caption: “No explanation needed.”
After the game, Gladbach coach Marco Rose said Thuram had his backing.
“Marcus has made the point. He has set an example against racism that we all support,” Rose said.
Thuram, whose father, French World Cup winner Lilian runs the Education against Racism foundation in Paris, was the latest show of solidarity with the current protests sweeping the United States.
Via France 24
