Phoenix Rising, Reno halt play mid-match for anti-racism demonstration

Phoenix Rising FC and Reno 1868 FC halted play mid-match in Saturday night’s 2-1 loss for PRFC in northwest Nevada.

From the seven-minute mark until 8:46, both sides either stood or took a knee around the center circle of the pitch in order to demonstrate “a unified front against injustice and racism.”

7 for Jacob Blake. 8:46 for George Floyd.#RNOvPHX | #RisingAgainstRacism pic.twitter.com/CIep53yZTH

— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) August 30, 2020

The seven-minute mark represents the number of times Jacob Blake was shot by a police officer in Wisconsin, while 8:46 represents how long former police officer Derek Chauvin was on George Floyd’s neck in Minnesota.

Prior to kickoff, Phoenix Rising released a statement from the players:

A message from the Rising players ahead of tonight’s match #RisingAgainstRacism pic.twitter.com/uSo9eaXTpZ

— Phoenix Rising FC | Rising Together But Separate (@PHXRisingFC) August 30, 2020

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