Lancashire Police have said that 'no criminal offences' were committed and they will not be taking any further action after a banner reading 'White Lives Matter Burnley' was flown over Manchester City's Etihad Stadium last night before their fixture against Burnley last night.
The incident took place shortly after the players had taken a knee before kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, as all teams have been doing before Premier League games following the league's restart.
Chief Superintendent Russ Procter said: "Today Lancashire Constabulary has been in liaison with Greater Manchester Police, the Aviation Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service regards the 'White Lives Matter' banner that was flown over the Etihad Stadium last night.
"After assessing all the information available surrounding this incident we have concluded that there are no criminal offences that have been disclosed at this time."
"We will continue to work with our partners at the football club and within the local authority."
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The plane, which was allegedly paid for by Burnley supporters and flown from Blackpool airport, flew over the top of the game before Burnley's first fixture back - a 5-0 defeat - after the coronavirus forced the league to shut down.
Burnley Football Club was quick to condemn the message dragged behind the plane, and resolved to ban those behind it from the club's Turf Moor stadium for life.
A club statement read: "We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor.
"This, in no way, represents what Burnley Football Club stands for and we will work fully with the authorities to identify those responsible and issue lifetime bans."
The Burnley captain Ben Mee also condemned the message sent by those who chose to pay for the plane, telling Sky Sports: "We, as a group of players condemn it, we're ashamed, we're embarrassed.
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"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.
"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.
Featured Image Credit: PA