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Taking a knee: Premier League stars show support for Black Lives Matter as top-flight football resumes with an anti-racism message

Premier League stars united to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement shortly before the much-anticipated return of top-flight action in England.

With the eyes of the world on Villa Park, Aston Villa and Sheffield United's players took a knee to symbolise their backing for the anti-racism campaign in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police brutality in the US.

Referee Michael Oliver joined the teams in stooping to one knee in a remarkable show of solidarity seconds before the action started in the first Premier League match since elite football was suspended for more than three months amid the coronavirus crisis.