'Applause not punishment': Infantino urges common sense approach to protest

FIFA also urged the football bodies across the globe to use "common sense" while dealing with players who display a political message during a game.

Milan: Bundesliga footballers protesting against the death of George Floyd during German football league matches deserve applause rather than sanctions, according to the FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Jadon Sancho

Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, Achraf Hakimi and Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie along with Borussia Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram are currently under investigation by the German Football Association (DFB) for their tributes to Floyd at the weekend.

Last week, Floyd died after a white policeman in Minneapolis kneeled on his neck for several minutes when he was handcuffed. Floyd's killing has sparked a massive protest in the United States against racism.

"For the avoidance of doubt, in a FIFA competition the recent demonstrations of players in Bundesliga matches would deserve applause and not a punishment," Infantino said in a FIFA statement.

"We all must say no to racism and any form of discrimination. We all must say no to violence. Any form of violence."

FIFA had also urged the football bodies across the globe to use "common sense" while dealing with players who display a political message during a game.

Gianni Infantino

"FIFA fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case," world football's governing body said in a statement.

England winger Sancho on Sunday paid tribute to Floyd by lifting his shirt to show the message "Justice for George Floyd" written on his t-shirt after he scored in Dortmund's win at Paderborn. Sancho's team-mate Hakimi and McKennie also called for justice for Floyd.

Meanwhile, Thuram took a knee in memory of Floyd after scoring for Gladbach.