Snooker star Alfie Burden takes a knee on live TV in tribute to tragic George Floyd
ALFIE BURDEN took a knee for George Floyd and then said: There’s no place for racism in society.
Snooker’s world No 75 kneeled, bowed his head and pointed skywards before his 3-0 defeat to Ryan Day in the Championship League at Milton Keynes.
Burden expressed his support for the Black Lives Matter cause following the death of unarmed black man Floyd while being restrained by white Minneapolis police officers on May 25.
Londoner Burden, 43, said: “This was my platform. I stand behind the fight against racism. It’s a disgraceful thing.
“The well-documented death of Floyd has touched everyone.
“There’s no place for racism in society.
“My brother-in-law is the manager at Hendon FC, I am his assistant. I’ve seen all the footballers pay their respects. I felt it was the right thing to do.
“I have grown up with black people playing football. My best friend at school was black.
“I’ve an 18-year-old daughter and she has a black boyfriend. Floyd’s death has brought it home to everyone.”
The incident has sparked days of protest in US cities and across the UK, with people expressing anger against the rise of police brutality and racism.
Meanwhile, MARK SELBY says he is not snooker loopy about the sport’s social isolation.
Provided he passed last night’s Covid-19 test, the three-time world champion will play against Liang Wenbo, Joe O’Connor and Lee Walker in Group Five today.
Most Read In Sport
He said: “Normally you have players you’d have meals or a drink with. Obviously that cannot happen now.
“It will be strange. But what can we do?
“You’re doing it for your health and the health of everybody else.”