The 'Black Lives Matter' movement has been embraced by the world of football over the past few months.
Players in leagues around the world have taken a knee to show their support for the cause, while Premier League teams have also been sporting a 'Black Lives Matter' badge on their kits since the restart of the season.
Unfortunately, there have been some incidents of opposition to the movement. The most well-known example came during Burnley's visit to Manchester City, when a group of away supporters paid to have a 'white lives matter' banner flown over the stadium.
While countless leagues have shown their support in recent times, those that were cancelled due to the coronavirus have not had a chance to do so. That includes Scotland, where Celtic were named as Champions a number of months ago.
Their season is due to get underway on August 1st, with teams now in the midst of their pre-season.
Celtic and Rangers both played in friendlies against French opposition yesterday, with the two sets of players taking a knee before kick-off.
The decision of the Rangers players to do so prior to their game against Lyon did not go down well with some members of the club's support.
They tweeted out a picture of the squad kneeling, which was met with a number of responses questioning why the club pandered to this particular cause.
Not for me Rangers, sorry. Someone needs to be brave enough to end this!
— Da55y Bear! (@theliftman07) July 16, 2020
Following a bad trend that I can’t imagine our support follow. Stay away!
— William Johnston (@Bronson_83) July 16, 2020
Disgraceful,BLM openly stands for anarchy,this has no place in our @RangersFC
— Alan Stewart (@alnstwt) July 16, 2020
That's very disappointing. Stand up, lads!
— Jim 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 (@it_must_be_jim) July 16, 2020
Disappointing, never expected the famous Glasgow rangers to do this
— Stephen Hayes (@PurpleHayes1969) July 17, 2020
— Tam Maitland (@MaitlandTam) July 16, 2020
What was ever wrong with this initiative and many others, Rangers? Why have initiatives that #EveryoneAnyone could get behind been curbed in favour of divisive Cultural Marxism?
Same question to the Looney Tunes on here who are screaming 'fascist' at anyone who disagrees. pic.twitter.com/CtVYaLzreV— Damo (@dsco_0) July 16, 2020
FIFA and UEFA both take a strict stance when it comes to political statements in football with FIFA repeatedly stating that football should never be used for political messages and that the focus should be on the game itself and nothing else.
— Peenz 🔶️ (@MisterrMannnn) July 16, 2020
Thankfully, many Rangers supporters were quick to call out these replies.
So proud of Rangers for doing this and weeding out all the racist scum in our support. Why people think this is political is beyond me. I thought our support was better than that but clearly not. Thank you for doing this and standing up for what is right
— Against The Grain (@punx4life) July 16, 2020
Anyone with issues on this. stay out of my club.
— 𝐈𝘢𝙞𝘯 (@Warrender_Iain) July 16, 2020
Proud of my club and players#EveryoneAnyone
— Geeb 🎙 (@Geeb1872) July 16, 2020
Shame half the fans are still in the dark ages. Was brought up with the club and I don't feel I'd be welcome in the place again due to the ignorant and antequated views of the right wing fans. Absolutely shameful
Well done for trying Rangers— ♡ 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐞-𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 ♡ (@DebayDeLux) July 16, 2020
The state of these comments. Actually ashamed to be associated with the Rangers da types in here. BLM is about fighting for equality, if you dont understand that and want to default to "aye but white lives matter tae" then you are too thick to have a meaninful opinion.
— Jim (@Jim_CE) July 16, 2020
anyone disagrees with this feel free to meet me at ibrox stadium at 10 the night
— Ryan (@Ryane1872) July 16, 2020
