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Blackpool Airport has suspended banner flights from its base after the message 'White Lives Matter Burnley' was towed by an aeroplane over Etihad Stadium.

Lancashire Police is also investigating the banner, which was flown over the stadium during Manchester City's 5-0 win over Burnley on Monday.

In a statement, manager Stephen Smith said the airport and Blackpool Council are "outraged by this incident".

Burnley say they are "ashamed and embarrassed" by the banner.

Blackpool Airport says the incident was reported to police and the Civil Aviation Authority.

The statement added: "We stand against racism of any kind and absolutely do not condone the activity, the message was offensive and the action reprehensible. The decision to fly the banner was taken entirely by the banner flying company without the knowledge or approval of the airport or Blackpool Council.

"Due to the nature of the activity, banners are not checked before take-off and the content is at the operator's discretion.

"Following an emergency review this morning, Blackpool Airport will suspend all banner towing operations at the airport with immediate effect and we would suggest that other airports should also consider this approach in light of what has happened at Blackpool."

Chief superintendent Russ Procter said Lancashire Police are making enquiries "to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident" and will then be in a position to "make an assessment as to whether any criminal offences have taken place".

He added: "We recognise that this banner will have caused offence to many people in Lancashire and beyond and we continue to liaise closely with our partners at both the club and in the local authority."



The aircraft circled above Etihad Stadium for several minutes before departing

Burnley and City players and staff had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement moments before the aircraft circled over the stadium.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling said it was a "massive step" that players took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement on the opening night of the Premier League's return.

Players and staff from Aston Villa, Sheffield United, Manchester City and Arsenal knelt as their matches began.

Match officials also took part, on a night players' names on shirts were replaced with 'Black Lives Matter'.

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"It shows we're going in the right direction," Sterling told Sky Sports.

"Little by little we're seeing change. It was natural, it was organic. We saw the teams do it in the earlier kick-off and thought it was something we had to do as well."

Football Daily: The Premier League takes a knee, and the 'ghost goal'

The Premier League was returning after a 100-day hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.

And players and officials showed their support for the movement for racial equality following the death of George Floyd in the United States last month.

Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man, died as a white police officer held a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His death sparked protests around the world.

'I feel really bad' - Guardiola on racial inequality

A joint statement issued by Villa and Sheffield United shortly after their match began said they "were proud to stand in solidarity" with the actions of their players and coaching staff in "expressing our collective support for the Black Lives Matter movement".

Both clubs said they hoped they had sent "a strong message of unity" and amplified "the many messages of support from Premier League players and the wider football family".

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola added: "White people should say sorry for the way we have treated black people for 400 years. I am ashamed of what we have done to black people around the world.

"It is not only in the USA where it has happened. The problem is everywhere.

"Maybe for our generation it is too late but for the following generations

Premier League players wearing 'Black Lives Matter' on their shirts shows the league wants to be on the right side of history, says Ian Wright.

Players' names will be replaced on the back of their shirts with 'Black Lives Matter' for the first 12 matches of the restarted season.

A Black Lives Matter badge will feature on all playing shirts for the rest of the season.

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"What the Premier League have done, is to give them the power," said Wright.

"Wes Morgan and Troy Deeney, the way they've got that going with the rest of the captains, to give them that much power is a line in the sand for the Premier League about where they are going and on what side of history they want to stand."

Listen to the BBC Radio 5 live Monday Night Club

Watford captain Deeney played a pivotal role in the discussions between club captains and the Premier League, alongside Leicester City's Morgan.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Arsenal and England striker Wright added: "It is about changing attitudes. We see that with the lack of black people at board level in UK governing bodies, it's embarrassing.

"You need change because unless you get people of colour in positions of power who can say 'that's not right', being there to speak and let their voices be heard, then how is it going to change?

"When you see Wes Morgan and Troy Deeney with the captains and everybody, they've been so vocal - Kevin de Bruyne, Jordan Henderson have been so vocal in their support towards these guys because they know it's right. It's as simple as that."

Wright, who was sent racist abuse on social media last month, said he now felt there was "momentum" behind the movement for racial equality for the "first time in his lifetime".

It comes after the death of George Floyd in the United States, which has sparked protests worldwide.

Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man, died after being restrained by a white Minneapolis police officer on 25 May.