AMID the hype around the restart of Premier League football, which began with the giddying prospect of a clash between Aston Villa and Sheffield United, there was an abrupt reminder of more sobering issues.

In what now feels like the distant past of a week-and-a-half ago, referee Michael Oliver blew the whistle to kick off the much-anticipated return of top-flight English football, only instead of initiating the kicking of a ball, it prompted everyone on the field to drop to one knee.

It was a powerful moment, boosted by its unexpectedness and the importance of the message it sent. It was a moving show of support to the Black Lives Matter movement.