Chelsea stars take the knee in support of Black Lives Matter movement - in pictures

Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta says: 'We want the future to be a better world with more love, without hate'

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Chelsea players took the knee during training as the world of sport continued to protest against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

A number of athletes in the United States and the UK have shown solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter cause, with Chelsea players the latest to show their support.

The London club's official Twitter account posted a picture taking the knee during training, forming the letter H for humans.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta explained the message the Chelsea players wanted to get across.

"It is something where we want to use our position to express that we are living in a world where we have to try to improve it for the future, to be a better world with more love, without hate," Azpilicueta said.

"We have seen recently the result of racism and we see every day that that kind of hate has to be eradicated from society, and we have to play our part.

"There is every day the possibility to lead by example, to behave, to educate the children into a better world because we know that education is key for the future.

"We know the young generation is coming behind us and we want to leave them in a better world with more possibilities without any kind of discrimination or racism, so everything matters and it is time to speak up and to face up to the attitudes that we are seeing. There is no place for all of this.

"Chelsea is a club that leads by example, always on the front foot in tackling racism and all kinds of discrimination.

"We are very proud to be part of Chelsea and to take action when we participate in any campaigns. You want to try to help in the way we can. It is part of our values and we take it very seriously."

Azpilicueta said the players had been closely following the news. "We see many incidents of discrimination in every part of the world and it shouldn’t happen," he added.

"We are all equal and it doesn’t matter our origin, we are all human. To have the same opportunities and respect for each other is the key, next to education, to see all people as other human beings and not to discriminate.

"It is important to respect each other and to learn from each other. We come from different backgrounds but we can all appreciate each other and get love from each other, and in the end have a better path for the world."