Dortmund's Jadon Sancho dedicates goal to U.S. protests
Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho removed his jersey to reveal a "Justice for George Floyd" slogan after scoring against Paderborn on Sunday.
Floyd, who is black, died in police custody in Minnesota after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes. The incident sparked violent protests in cities across the United States.
- ESPN+: Stream ESPN FC TV daily and 30 for 30: Soccer Stories
- Insider Notebook: United battle Liverpool for Werner
- Insider Notebook: United battle Liverpool for Werner
Sancho, 20, scored a hat trick -- all three goals coming in the second half -- in Dortmund's 6-1 victory.
The England international was booked for removing his jersey -- an act that is against football rules.
Earlier in the day, Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram took a knee after scoring his first goal on Sunday in honour of ongoing protests in the United States following the death of Floyd.
Taking to Instagram after the game, Thuram posted a photo of himself kneeling with the caption: Together is how we move forward. Together is how we make a change."
Protests have now spread to Europe with people gathering in London and Berlin.
Gladbach tweeted an image of Thuram kneeling with the caption: "No explanation needed."
The forward's kneeling was similar to a gesture made by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who in 2016 began kneeling during the U.S. national anthem to protest police brutality.
Thuram's father Lilian, a retired professional footballer and a 1998 World Cup-winner with France, is an anti-racism activist and UNICEF ambassador.
On Saturday, U.S. international and Schalke midfielder Weston McKennie also displayed his support for Floyd, wearing an armband with the message: "Justice for George." On Sunday, McKennie posted his support for Thuram on Instagram.
Thuram followed up his first goal with a second after 59 minutes, giving Gladbach a 3-1 lead against Union Berlin after the capital side had equalised just after half-time.
Alassane Plea, who assisted both of Thuram's goals, sealed Gladbach's win with a fourth goal in the 81st minute and the game ended 4-1.
After the game, Thuram led celebrations for teammate Mamadou Doucoure who made his first-team debut four years after signing for the club. Doucoure has suffered several injuries which have prevented him from appearing for the club since he signed in 2016.
