FIFA has called on leagues to use "common sense" when deciding whether to discipline footballers for displaying political messages after several players in the German Bundesliga called for justice for George Floyd during matches. "FIFA fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case," world football's governing body said in a statement on Tuesday. After scoring in his team's win at Paderborn on Sunday, Borussia Dortmund's English winger Jadon Sancho lifted his shirt to reveal the message "Justice for George Floyd".

His team-mate Achraf Hakimi and Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie expressed similar calls for justice, while Borussia Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram took a knee after scoring for his team in memory of Floyd. Floyd died last week after a white policeman in Minneapolis kneeled on the handcuffed man's neck for several minutes. The incident has sparked days of violent protests across the United States. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the sport's lawmakers, bans players from showing "any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images".