XtraTime Web Desk: Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Marcelo paid a tribute to George Floyd during Sunday’s La Liga clash against Eibar at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Marcelo, who scored the third goal for his side took a knee after finding the net in a nod to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Marcelo now joins Bundesliga footballers Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi who had earlier taken a knee to show their respect for George Floyd who died after a white police officer knelt down on his neck for nine minutes, strangling him to death on May 25 in Minneapolis.
The incident sparked widespread protests in US and around the world. Even the world governing body of football, FIFA has come forward and supported the gestures from the footballers across the globe to show support against racism.
The gesture of taking a knee has become synonymous with the protests against systemic racism in sport in the United States and now players are using their platforms to show their support for the movement in Europe.
Real Madrid had a convincing 3-1 win over Eibar to keep the pressure on arch rivals Barcelona in top of the table clash in La Liga. Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo put their names on the scoresheet for the home team. The win took Real Madrid to 59 points from 28 matches, two points clear of league leaders Barcelona.