Manchester City and Manchester United have called for the ships to be removed from their emblems.

Anti-discrimination activists believe there is a need to explore the possible connection between the ship’s images and the era of the slave trade. Inside first mass media raised the question with the article “Abandon ship: Does this symbol of slavery dishonor Manchester and its football clubs?” Ged GrebbieCEO of football advocacy organization Show Racism the Red Card, commented on the matter:

It is widely documented that the country benefited from the Atlantic slave trade. The wealth and prosperity of our cities and industries is linked to the slave trade, and symbols of this can be seen throughout the UK.

A significant opportunity to combat racism in education is to discuss colonialism, the long-term legacy of slavery, and how it manifests itself today.

The football clubs declined to comment on the matter. According to rumors, they have no plans to change the emblems.