The Burnley football fan who arranged for a White Lives Matter banner to flown above Manchester City's Etihad stadium today insisted he is not racist.
Jake Hepple, 24, complained there had been a "total overreaction" to the stunt, which was condemned by Burnley bosses and sparked an investigation by Lancashire Police
The banner with the words "White Lives Matter Burnley" was towed behind an aeroplane over the stadium during the club's game against Manchester City on Monday night.
The plane circled over the stadium just minutes after players from both teams had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before kick-off.
Burnley FC said afterwards it was "ashamed and embarrassed” and has since vowed to "root out the racists” following the incident.
Lancashire Police launched a probe but officers investigating the incident said on Tuesday that no crime was committed.
Meanwhile, Mr Hepple has insisted that the stunt was not meant "offend the movement or black people".
"I'm not racist. I know people are trying to make out to be one but I'm not," he told the MailOnline.
"I've got lots of black and Asian friends and this banner was actually inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement."
"We were not trying to offend the movement or black people.
"I believe that it's also important to acknowledge that white lives matter too. That's all we were trying to say.
"I stand by this banner and what it says 100 per cent. I'm not sorry at all and I'm not ashamed of what I've done."
He also told the publication that 60 people contributed towards the banner and the hire of the plane with a total cost of £600.
Mr Hepple said organisers had offers of money from "hundreds" of people willing to support the "White Lives Matter" cause.
He said: "I don't understand why I'm being treated like a criminal and believe that there has been a total overreaction to what happened.
"Everything has been blown out of proportion, it's ridiculous."
