Club captain Ben Mee admitted he was ashamed and embarrassed by a message saying ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ which was flown over the Etihad Stadium.
The banner was towed by an aircraft over the home of Manchester City just after kick-off in the Clarets’ Premier League return.
Moments earlier, all players, staff and officials had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Players also wore the words Black Lives Matter across their shirts as they continue to play their part in the campaign to promote racial equality.
The Clarets’ players – who went on to lose 5-0 – were visibly upset by the sight of the message attached to the Burnley name being trailed across the sky and which was captured by broadcasters and national media covering the game.