Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson hails footballers' support for Black Lives Matter movement and NHS

All four Premier League teams and officials took a knee before matches on Wednesday
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has praised the “remarkable” work done by footballers during lockdown to help the NHS and support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Following society’s shutdown after the outbreak of coronavirus, footballers have taken it upon themselves to help those in need.

Premier League players joined together to help fund the NHS, while many others also used their own initiatives to show support.

Palace winger Wilfried Zaha offered free accommodation to health workers in the 50 apartments he owns in London.

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, led a campaign so over one million children in England will be able to claim free school meal vouchers during the summer holidays.

On top of that, Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling and plenty of other footballers have championed the Black Lives Matter movement, with Premier League players taking a knee during games on Wednesday.

And Hodgson said: “I think the players have been remarkable in every respect.

“I think they did such a good job in the early stages with the NHS and so many initiatives they came up with to raise money and help the NHS at a time when they needed that help.

“Now I think they are making a very, very good attempt also to bring about a change that many people have wanted to see for many years with the Black Lives Matter [movement].

“I really can only take my hat off to all of those people who have done such a great job in using their voice and using the fact that they are so popular, and so well known to people within the country, to make people more aware of what needs to be done in order for us to get a fairer society.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is full of praise for footballers' efforts supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and the NHS
West Ham United FC via Getty Images

“I have nothing but praise for them really and I can only add my voice to those that say what a wonderful job they’ve done.

“For Marcus to be able to change a governmental decision, that takes a lot of doing so he and Raheem, in particular, recently I think deserve an enormous amount of credit.”

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