Schalke and United States midfielder Weston McKennie has urged people to “stand up” and “say no to racism” as he paid tribute to George Floyd in a Bundesliga match on Saturday.

Floyd, a black man from Texas, died while in police custody in Minnesota earlier this week with shocking video footage having rightly caused outrage across the world.

The 46-year-old died after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, including for almost three minutes after Floyd stopped moving and talking.

Father-of-two Floyd was accused of trying to pay with a counterfeit $20 bill at a local deli when he was arrested and pinned to the ground.

Despite Floyd insisting that he couldn’t breathe, Chauvin did not move and the man fell unconscious and died in the street as the incident was filmed by witnesses.

Chauvin, 44, was one of four officers to be fired from the department over Floyd’s death and he has now been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The city of Minneapolis has been subject to days of looting, violence and arson with demonstrations held nationwide in America with the killings of African Americans a long-standing issue within the country.

And United States international McKennie wore an armband reading ‘Justice for George’ in Schalke’s Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen before he later demanded action on social media.

The 21-year-old tweeted and posted on Instagram: “To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on to long feels good!!!

“We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard! #justiceforgeorgefloyd #saynotoracism.”

The official Schalke account also tweeted an image of the midfielder with the #JusticeForGeorge hashtag.

McKennie is not the only footballer to show support, with Paris Saint-Germain and France striker Kylian Mbappe having tweeted the same hashtag on Saturday, alongside a speaking head and a fist.

Former Arsenal attacker Ian Wright meanwhile said on Twitter after watching the video of Floyd’s death: “I’m tired. We tired.

“The comments, the replies, every day explaining ourselves. That video. Just drained. Maybe time for a bit of break.”

And USWNT star Alex Morgan said: “So sickened beyond words by the brutal police killing of George Floyd.

“When will all Americans be treated and respected equally regardless of race and gender?? We are yearning for true leadership and inclusivity from the top.”

McKennie’s Schalke lost the match 1-0 due to Leonardo Bittencourt’s first-half goal.