The police have confirmed that the sports fans who hired a private plane to fly a ‘White Lives Matter’ banner across a football stadium during a match had broken no laws.
The incident occurred in Manchester, England, where Manchester City Football Club clashed with Burnley Football Club in a Premier League match.
While players of both clubs took the knee to show support for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests around the world, a private plane was moments later seen flying over the stadium carrying a banner that read ‘White Lives Matter Burnley.’
Despite the backlash that the group hooligan fans known as Suicide Squad have been facing following their stunt, the police confirmed no criminal offense had been committed.
“Today Lancashire Constabulary has been in liaison with Greater Manchester Police, the Aviation Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service regards the ‘White Lives Matter’ banner that was flown over the Etihad Stadium last night,” Chief Superintendent Russ Procter stated.
“After assessing all the information available surrounding this incident we have concluded that there are no criminal offenses that have been disclosed at this time.”
According to the Public Order Act, a person can be charged with a criminal offense if they display symbols, writing, signs, or visual representations that are abusive or threatening.
While the group of football fans has not been found guilty of any criminal offenses, Burnley FC apologized for the incident to the public and vowed to try to get their fans banned from their matches for life.
As for Jake Hepple, one of the football fans behind the stunt, he refused to apologize for flying the banner over the stadium.
“I’d like to take this time to apologize .. TO ABSOLUTELY F****** NOBODY!” Hepple wrote in his Facebook post.
“It’s now apparently racist to say white lives matter (the day after three white people got murdered in a park in Reading, but all we’ve seen on the TV is black lives matter after George Floyd got murdered) what a mad world we live in.”
According to the reports, it is believed that the Suicide Squad had resorted to crowdfunding to raise the money to fly the banner over the stadium before the match started.
After the stunt has been widely slammed by the public, Burnley FC captain, Ben Mee, spoke out and said he feels “embarrassed” while condemning the actions of the hooligans.
“I am ashamed and embarrassed that a small number of our fans have decided to fly that around the stadium. It is not what we are about. They have missed what we are trying to achieve,” Mr. Mee said.
The footballer added:
“I’ve heard it is a small number that have arranged this and I hope it doesn’t happen again. I don’t want to associate it with my club. I don’t want to see this in the game.
“It is not right. We totally condemn it. These people can learn and be taught what Black Lives Matter is trying to achieve.”
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