A Burnley fan believed to have been responsible for a banner reading 'White Lives Matter Burnley' to be flown over the Etihad as his team took on Manchester City has lost his job.
Jake Hepple, 24, worked for aviation firm Paradigm Precision in Lancashire, but has now been dismissed from his employment following his involvement in the incident, just after players and coaches had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
As reported by Sky Sports, a spokesperson from Paradigm Precision said: "We have concluded our investigation into the conduct of one of our employees in relation to an incident at the Burnley v Manchester City match, as well as other related manners.
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"We have concluded that there has been a break of the company's various policies and procedures. The individual no longer works for the company.
"Paradigm Precision does not condone or tolerate racism in any form and is fully committed to diversity and inclusion."
The plane, which was allegedly paid for by Burnley supporters and took off from Blackpool airport, flew over the stadium before Burnley's first fixture back - a 5-0 defeat - after the coronavirus forced the Premier League to shut down.
Lancashire Police investigated but found 'no criminal offences' were committed, confirming yesterday in a statement that they would be taking no further action.
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However, Burnley captain Ben Mee said he was 'embarrassed' and 'ashamed' by the incident, with the club promising to issue lifetime bans for anyone found to be involved.
He told Sky Sports: "We, as a group of players condemn it, we're ashamed, we're embarrassed.
"It definitely had a massive impact on us to see that in the sky. We were embarrassed, disappointed, upset. We are embarrassed that our name was in it.
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"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."
All Premier League players have been showing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement by kneeling ahead of each of the games, as well as wearing the slogan on the back of their shirts in place of their names.
Speaking to MailOnline, Hepple said: "I'm not racist. I know people are trying to make out to be one but I'm not. I've got lots of black and Asian friends and this banner was actually inspired by the Black Lives Movement.
"We were not trying to offend the movement or black people.
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"I believe that it's also important to acknowledge that white lives matter too. That's all we were trying to say."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News