David McGoldrick led plans between United and Villa to take a knee on the Premier League’s return 

David McGoldrick was the inspiration for the decision by Sheffield United and Aston Villa players to ‘take a knee’.

McGoldrick and Billy Sharp, his captain at Sheffield United, proposed the idea to Villa’s Tom Heaton and the plan was embraced by both clubs.

The gesture of unity and protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement sent a powerful image to a global TV audience on Wednesday as all players, substitutes, officials and backroom staff knelt for 10 seconds. 

The idea for Aston Villa and Sheffield United to take a knee was raised by David McGoldrick

Manchester City and Arsenal players made the same gesture later.

Premier League players have been urged to continue their gestures of solidarity and force change in football. Kick It Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari said: ‘It was fantastic. It was so choreographed and so powerful. It is really important we have these gestures of solidarity.’

The Professional Footballers’ Association have called on the EFL to ensure the Rooney Rule is implemented, while PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes has become the first black member of UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body.

Meanwhile, England manager Gareth Southgate has added his support to the initiative of Paul Elliott, chair of the FA’s inclusion and advisory board, for a voluntary code to improve diversity in English football.

The gesture of unity and protest in support of Black Lives Matter sent out a powerful image

Manchester City and Arsenal players repeated the gesture in their late game on Thursday