Danny Rose says it is a “crying shame” it took the death of George Floyd to spark the Black Lives Matter movement when racism has been an issue for years. The 30-year-old defender says he has been subject to racist chants all his career, most recently when playing for England in the Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro.
Anti-racism protests have been held in many countries and footballers in England have taken the knee with their shirts emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter” since the death in May of Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of a Minneapolis policeman.
“Before the incident with George Floyd in America, one day in a year we wear ‘Kick It Out’ racism t-shirts,” Rose told The Second Captain’s podcast. “Doing that one day a year is not really going to get the message home. It is just a crying shame that a man had to lose his life in the way he did for this movement having to happen. I hope this is something that now will catch everybody’s eyes, ears and their mind.”
Rose — who spent the second half of the Premier League season on loan at Newcastle from Tottenham — says he has often been stopped by police when driving. “Each time it’s, ‘Is this car stolen? Where did you get this car from? What are you doing here? Can you prove that you bought this car?’,” he said. “This has been happening since I was 18.”
Rose said even when he was travelling first class in trains he is asked whether he is in the right carriage whereas white passengers are left alone. “These are the things I have to put up with, being stopped all the time and being asked if I know this is first class and to show my ticket,” he added. 
“Whenever I do say things or complain, you do hear people say, ‘Well you’re on this money so just get on with it’. I just give up with hoping that things will change because that’s some people’s mentality towards racism.”

Pedro bids early farewell 
to Chelsea after surgery
Chelsea forward Pedro has undergone surgery on his shoulder ahead of an expected transfer to Roma, meaning he will not play for the Premier League club again. The 33-year-old Spain international confirmed on social media his operation had been successful.
He landed awkwardly on his right shoulder when appearing as a substitute in Chelsea’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal at the weekend. Pedro will miss Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 second-leg clash at Bayern Munich on Saturday before he leaves Stamford Bridge.
“The surgery went well, I will be back soon,” Pedro posted on Instagram. “It was a pity not to win the FA Cup. Thank you for all your support.”
Chelsea tweeted: “We’re all wishing you a speedy recovery, @_Pedro17_!” in response to his update.
Pedro has spent five years at Chelsea after arriving from Barcelona in 2015, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.

Liverpool’s title win a ‘gift that keeps on giving’, says owner Henry
Nearly 10 years after Fenway Sports Group took over Liverpool, owner John W. Henry said that he could not be prouder of the club after they won their first top flight league title for 30 years. Liverpool claimed the Premier League title in June with seven games to spare after the season resumed following a three-month suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under Juergen Klopp, the Anfield club had won their sixth Champions League crown last season but Henry said getting their hands on the league title for a 19th time was the icing on the cake. “It was a long time coming,” Henry told the club’s website.
“I just want to say (to the supporters) that you’ve waited a long time for this... this really feels sort of like the gift that keeps on giving. Every day I get up, it’s front and centre that we won (in) England finally. So, that’s my wish for you, that every morning you get up for the next, as long as you can accomplish it, think about what we accomplished this year in Europe, England and I hope you feel as proud as I do.”
Henry, whose Fenway Sports Group took over Liverpool in October 2010, also praised Klopp for his role in the club’s success. “I could go on and on about Juergen and how his heart is larger than his frame, how his enthusiasm affects all of us positively every day,” the 70-year-old American businessman said.
“But I think what’s important is he is determined every day to do the right thing, whether it’s with regard to what happens on the pitch, whether it’s regard to nutrition for the club... and that rubs off.”