Marcus Rashford and LeBron James posted powerful messages on ‘Blackout Tuesday’ as the world of sport continues to protest against the death of George Floyd.

The Premier League star and basketball legend were among those who joined the social media movement by sharing a completely black image to their Instagram accounts.

Manchester United striker Rashford captioned his post: ‘#blackouttuesday’, while Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James wrote: ‘#backouttuesday #BLM’

Unarmed black man Floyd was killed in Minneapolis last week after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.

The shocking incident has sparked days of civil unrest in America and led to protests across the world by demonstrators angry about the brutal and disparate treatment of black people by the police, racism in society and demanding change.

And it came following the deaths of two other black US citizens Ahmaud Arbery in February and Breonna Taylor in March which also caused outrage.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried also shared the same image and followed up his post with an impassioned speech on his Instagram story, writing: ‘Things need to change now because George Floyd’s death was the last straw. It’s now or never!

‘I don’t condone violence or looting but this can’t just be posting pictures and hashtags anymore.

‘If you are commenting all lives matter right now, you are clearly part of the problem!

‘Your (sic) choosing to ignore or should I say avoid the clear racism.’

A huge number of sports stars are using today to protest against the treatment of the black people throughout the world.

Chelsea stars Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, former England rugby star James Haskell, ex-Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele and United States striker Jozy Altidore were among those who posted the completely black image.

On Monday, England international Rashford offered his support to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, claiming it took him a few days to post a message as he was ‘trying to process what is going on in the world’.

Rashford wrote on Twitter: ‘I know you guys haven’t heard from me in a few days. I’ve been trying to process what is going on in the world.

‘At a time I’ve been asking people to come together, work together and be united, we appear to be more divided than ever. People are hurting and people need answers.

‘Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communities matter. We matter. #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforahmaudarbery #justiceforbreonnataylor.’

The three shocking deaths have triggered huge unrest and, on Monday, Rashford became the latest sports star to speak out over the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign, after Lewis Hamilton hit out at fellow F1 drivers on Sunday for ‘staying silent’ during the racism row.

The six-time F1 champion posted on Instagram: ‘I see those of you staying silent, some of you the biggest stars yet you stay in the midst of injustice.

‘Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I’m one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone. I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us.

‘Just know I know who you who you are (sic) and I see you.’

Since Hamilton’s message, the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris have spoken out against the discrimination.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad broke off from their training session at Anfield on Monday, where they were preparing for the season’s resumption, to gather around the centre circle and take a knee as they posed for a picture which a number of players posted on social media with the caption ‘Unity is strength #BlackLivesMatter.’

England footballer Jadon Sancho also revealed a ‘Justice for George Floyd’ shirt while celebrating his goal for Borussia Dortmund on Sunday against Paderborn.

Bundesliga stars Weston McKennie and Marcus Thuram showed their support for Floyd too, with the former wearing a ‘Justice for George’ armband and the latter taking a knee in solidarity with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement while celebrating a goal for Borussia Monchengladbach.

SOURCE:- allfootballapp