Burnley captain Ben Mee has been heralded for his "exceptional" response after a 'White Lives Matter' banner was flown over the Etihad Stadium during their 5-0 defeat at Manchester City on Monday.
The fly-by message was attached to a light aircraft circling above the ground during the early stages of the Premier League match, moments after the players had knelt in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Burnley were quick to condemn those who organised the plane in a strongly-worded statement, with Mee echoing the club's stance after the match.
"We as a group of players condemn it, we're ashamed, we're embarrassed," He told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It definitely had a had massive impact on us to see that in the sky. We were embarrassed, disappointed, upset. We are embarrassed that our name was in it.
"That they tried to attach it to our club. It doesn't belong anywhere near our club. Fans like that don't deserve to be around football."
Comedian Omid Djalili posted: "Brilliant Ben Mee being on it ASAP. The #BlackLivesMatter movement is everyone against racism and discrimination towards all minorities. Burnley FC have apologised for an idiotic minority who want a race war. Well done the Premier League for keeping on highlighting injustice."
Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after the loss at City, Mee diverted focus from a "tough night" on the pitch and chose instead to speak out against those responsible for the banner.
Asked about the game, Mee said: "It was a tough night. We can talk about football but there's something I want to speak about first - the aeroplane that went out at the beginning of the game.
"The group of lads in there are embarrassed to see that. It's missed the point of the whole thing that we're trying to achieve. These people need to come into the 21st Century and educated themselves."
Karen Fazackerley said: "He stops the post-match interview before it has even begun to discuss the banner flown over the Etihad at kick-off.
"This is an incredible post-match interview from Burnley captain Ben Mee for all the wrong reasons."
Labour MP John McDonnell tweeted: "Thank you Ben Mee for speaking for all of us. You did us all proud with your words tonight."
In Pictures | Manchester City vs Burnley | 22/06/2020
Gary Lineker added: "Well said Ben Mee. That’s leadership for you."
"Exceptional from Ben Mee, this," said James Sharpe.
Mee revealed Burnley's players "heard whispers" that it was going to happen as they walked out onto the pitch for the match.
However, Clarets manager Sean Dyche missed the incident.
Dyche later said: "As a club we can only apologise. It is unacceptable."
The club statement added the perpetrators were not welcome at Turf Moor and would be banned for life if identified.
"This, in no way, represents what Burnley Football Club stands for," it said.
