Chinese rights holders have contacted the Premier League about their decision of not broadcasting the English top-flight matches that have been planned this weekend, as the support and solidarity for Ukraine have been solid among football clubs and players in the United Kingdom. China being a close ally politically to Russia, is the reason for the censorship, reported BBC Sports.
The Premier League has called for peace and halt to the situation by saying that, it wholeheartedly rejects Russia’s actions against Ukraine. “We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted”, it added. The League has also called for actions on the pitch, for example, captains wearing special armbands in Ukrainian colours with stadium screens displaying ‘Football stands together’, in front of the country’s blue and yellow flag.
Federations and sports governing bodies have also come forward with sanctions against Russian clubs, athletes, sponsors and owners, across all tournaments around the world but China is the first to openly support the dictator state. Such an action from the Chinese have not forced the Premier League to comment on a similar incident that had taken place in 2019, where the Arsenal- Manchester City game was removed from broadcasting when Mesut Ozil had posted the horrid treatment of Uighur Muslims in China on social media.
Despite the public commotion, fans have also been advised to show and join unity against the ongoing crisis through a ‘moment of reflection and solidarity before kick-off at each game’ as football, certainly insignificant in the bigger picture, is a place of influence and connection.
