UPDATE: NFL Public Relations representative Brian McCarthy said that the league is currently planning on playing Sunday's game at home as scheduled.
Our statement on Vikings-Panthers game on Sunday pic.twitter.com/LvH59fyAJf
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 22, 2016
The original story continues below.
Sunday’s game between the Carolina Panthers and the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., may be moved because of this week’s social unrest in that city, according to a report.
Fox 46 Charlotte reported Thursday morning that a source said the Panthers and the National Football League are discussing a possible move of the game scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Source: NFL, Panthers meeting about possibly moving Sunday's game after protests https://t.co/jBmMhsNHgm #BREAKING #CLTProtest
— FOX 46 Charlotte (@FOX46News) September 22, 2016
There is no word on whether the game would be moved out of Charlotte or pushed back to next Monday or Tuesday.
In a statement Thursday, Panthers President Danny Morrison said: “We are in contact with government officials, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the NFL. We are continuing to monitor events as we prepare for Sunday’s home game.”
Statement from Carolina #Panthers President Danny Morrison pic.twitter.com/T8yFYsj42W
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 22, 2016
Protests began Tuesday and intensified Wednesday night in Charlotte with rioting and looting in the city after the police-involved shooting death of an African-American man, Keith Lamont Scott. Nine civilians were injured in the unrest overnight, and 44 people were arrested for crimes including failure to disperse, assault and breaking and entering, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said.
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency Wednesday night in Charlotte.
Last year, similar incidents of violence and unrest in Baltimore led Major League Baseball to decree that a game between the Orioles and White Sox be played in an empty stadium in the name of fan safety.
