Rams release statement saying they respect 'concerns' of St. Louis police following players' 'hands up' Ferguson protest - but insists it is not an apology

• Franchise statement said they had 'discussions' with police officials
• Claimed their had been positive discussions surrounding the 'tragedy'
• Police Chief Jon Belmar said the team had apologized as a result
• But executive Kevin Demoff insisted the side were not saying sorry
• Reiterated to reporters that was not the case
• St. Louis Police have said the Chief 'thought' Demoff had apologized
• Five men made on-field gesture before game against Oakland Raiders

By Wills Robinson and Sophie Jane Evans and Kieran Corcoran for MailOnline

Published: 13:17 EST, 1 December 2014 | Updated: 00:16 EST, 2 December 2014

The St. Louis Rams have released a statement saying they respect the 'concerns' of police officers following the 'hands up' protest by their players - but insist it is not an apology.

Five players made the gesture on the field before the game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday following the decision not to indict Darren Wilson over the death of unarmed teen Michael Brown.

Their actions created a backlash during which law enforcement representatives demanded those involved be punished.

A franchise executive got in contact with police officials and had 'positive discussions', prompting Police Chief Jon Belmar to tell his colleagues the Rams had apologized.

However Senior Vice President Kevin Demoff told a number of reporters that was not the case.

The St. Louis Police department have since said that Belmar 'believed' that it was an apology, prompting him to 'let them [colleagues] know about the call, after he told Mr. Demoff he would share his sentiments with his staff.'

Scroll down for video and St Louis police's full statement

Solidarity: St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey (12), wide receiver Tavon Austin (11), tight end Jared Cook (89), wide receiver Chris Givens (13) and wide receiver Kenny Britt (81) put their hands up to show support for Michael Brown before Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders at the Edward Jones Dome

Injustice? Following the gesture, officials from the St Louis County Police Association - the police union for the area including Ferguson - demanded that the players be punished. Above, Austin raises his hands

Differing opinions: But on Monday, NFL spokesman, Brian McCarthy (left), said the players who made the 'hands up, don't shoot' gesture will not be fined nor disciplined for their actions. Right, St Louis County Police Association's president Gabe Crocker (right), who previously described the gesture as 'unthinkable'

The statement on behalf of the team read: 'We had positive discussions today with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson, St Louis County Chief of Police Jon Belmar and representatives from the St. Louis Police Officer's Association and St. Louis County Police Association during which we expressed our respect for their concerns surrounding yesterday's game.

'What has transpired over the past four months is a tragedy that has impacted our entire community. Together we are beginning a healing process that will require time, energy and honest dialogue.

'The Rams will continue to to build on what have always been strong and valued relationships with local law enforcement and the greater St. Louis community as we come together to help heal our reason.'

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch then reported that Belmar released the following statement to his colleagues: 'I received a very nice call this morning from Mr. Kevin Demoff of the St. Louis Rams who wanted to take the opportunity to apologize to our department on behalf of the Rams for the "Hands Up" gesture that some players took the field with yesterday.

'Mr. Demoff clearly regretted that any members of the Ram's [sic] organization would act in a way that minimized the outstanding work that police officers and departments carry out each and every day. My impression of the call was that it was heartfelt and I assured him that I would share it with my staff.

'Thank you for your hard work, ... one night to go. Stay safe.'

Following the release, Demoff contacted reporters from CNN and ESPN strongly stating they had not issued an apology.

He told Nick Wagoner of the sports channel: 'At no time in any of the conversations did I apologize for the actions of our players.'

In response, the St. Louis Police department posted on Facebook: 'Chief Belmar was contacted today by St. Louis Rams COO Kevin Demoff. The Chief never asked for anyone from the Rams to contact him.

Symbolic: The gesture - a reference to witness accounts of Michael Brown's fatal shooting on August 9, also made another appearance after Mason (left) scored a touchdown and was congratulated by Britt (right)

'He said the conversation was pleasant. The Chief sent an email to his police staff and used the word “apologized.” Mr. Demoff is quoted in the St. Louis Post Dispatch story saying “I expressed to both of them that I felt badly that our players' support of the community was taken as disrespectful to law enforcement.” He further stated “I regretted any offense the officer’s may have taken".'

'Even though Mr. Demoff stated he never apologized, the Chief believed it to be an apology and the Chief sent the email to police staff to let them know about the call, after he told Mr. Demoff he would share his sentiments with his staff.'

The NFL players who made the 'hands up, don't shoot' gesture in solidarity with Ferguson protesters will not be fined nor disciplined for their actions, it today emerged.

The five St Louis Rams footballers performed the now-famous sign on the field before the team's game against the Oakland Raiders at Missouri's Edward Jones Dome on Sunday.

Following the gesture, officials from the St Louis County Police Association - the police union for the area including riot-stricken Ferguson - demanded that the players be punished by their superiors.

Protest: Britt (81) raises his hands in the air at the game. The meaning of the gesture has been disputed following contradictory witness accounts, some of which claim Mr Brown did not have his hands up

It has been revealed that the NFL will not take disciplinary action against the players: wide receivers Stedman Bailey,Tavon Austin, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt, and tight end, Jared Cook.

On Monday, National Football League spokesman, Brian McCarthy, told USA Today Sports that the league would not adhere to the Association's request to fine or alternately punish the five men.

But he added: 'We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation.' He did not comment on the demands for an apology.

The 'hands up, don't shoot' gesture is a reference to witness accounts of Ferguson officer Darren Wilson's fatal shooting of Michael Brown,on August 9; a killing that made headlines across the world.

Some protesters claim the unarmed black 18-year-old was raising his hands in surrender when he was shot 12 times by Wilson. However, the accounts have been disputed.

It comes as people have been taking to streets of more than 170 U.S. cities in protest against a grand jury's recent decision to not indict Mr Wilson in the fatal shooting.

Last Monday, St Louis Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch announced that the secret panel found 'no probable cause exists' for indict Mr Wilson for gunning down Mr Brown in Ferguson.

Tensions still high: Police and Missouri National guard stand outside the Edward Jones Dome before the start of Sunday's game between the Rams and the Oakland Raiders, which the Rams won with a final score of 52-0

After making the gesture on Sunday, wide receiver Bailey said he and his teammates decided to raise their hands in the air shortly before the game, and intended it to be something positive.

'Violence should stop. There’s a lot of violence going on here in St. Louis. We definitely hear about it all, and we just want it to stop,' he told reporters.

But following the public display, police released an angry statement saying the five men had 'ignored mountains of evidence' vindicating Mr Wilson over the shooting.

The statement, given to the KSDK TV station, described the gesture, which protesters have adopted across the nation, as: 'tasteless, offensive and inflammatory'.

One member of the association was quoted saying: 'It is unthinkable that hometown athletes would so publicly perpetuate a narrative that has been disproven over-and-over again.'

The statement went on: 'All week long, the Rams and the NFL were on the phone with the St. Louis Police Department asking for assurances that the players and the fans would be kept safe from the violent protesters who had rioted, looted, and burned buildings in Ferguson.

'...As the players and their fans sit safely in their dome under the watchful protection of hundreds of St. Louis's finest, they take to the turf to call a now-exonerated officer a murderer, that is way out-of-bounds, to put it in football parlance.

The lengthy message concluded by saying: 'The SLPOA is calling for the players involved to be disciplined and for the Rams and the NFL to deliver a very public apology' and threatening to rally police in their condemnation of the team.

Flare-up: Police are pictured arresting a male protester in St. Louis following the game on Sunday afternoon

Dragged away: A female protester is removed from the scene by police just hours before Sunday's game

Shooting: Officer Darren Wilson (left) shot dead 18-year-old Michael Brown (right) in Ferguson on August 9

A Rams spokesman said on Sunday that the team was not aware the gesture had been planned before the game against the Oakland Raiders.

On Sunday, wide receivers Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt came out together first, with the move obscured by a smoke machine in the upper reaches of the stadium.

Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook and Chris Givens - all of whom are black - then came out and stood together with arms raised.

After Tre Mason scored on an 8-yard run to make it 45-0 in the fourth quarter, the gesture made another appearance when he and Britt raised their hands together.

Rams won the game with a final score of 52-0.

Detained and cuffed: Police arrest protest organizer Derrick Robinson as demonstrations against the failure to indict Officer Darren Wilson continued in St. Louis

Help: A clergy member assists a protester as he is arrested and left on the ground near to the St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders game on Sunday

Protests inside: Ferguson protesters also made their feelings known in a Walmart in St Louis County

What's in store: Protesters inside marched under the flags of Missouri and the United States as they were addressed at a gathering

There was disruption around the country from other Ferguson protests on Sunday as well, after a group of demonstrators blocked off the I-395 highway in Washington, D.C..

A human chain blocked the road in both directions for about 40 minutes, according to the Washington Post.

Calls for justice continued to be made from the Missouri town itself today, as Rev. Al Sharpton gave a service at the Flood Christian Church, of which Brown's father, Michael Brown Snr, is a member.

There have been riots, looting and buildings burned in Ferguson since Monday’s grand jury verdict.

Across the street from the stadium, about 75 protesters gathered in the second half as about 30 police wearing riot gear watched from a safe distance.

Blockade: Protesters in Washington, D.C., held up traffic on the I-395 for around 40 minutes

Speech: Civil rights activist Sharpton spoke at a church in Ferguson today in support of the protests

Confrontation: Tensions were high between Rams and Raiders fans on Sunday before the game in St. Louis

Frustrations: Demonstrators protest outside the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis, Missouri on November 30, 2014

Protesters chanted ‘Hands up, don't shoot!’ ‘No Justice, No Football!’ ‘This is what Democracy looks like,’ and ‘We're here for Mike Brown.’

The Rams had additional security measures in place for the game, including armed personnel from the National Guard. The team has wanded fans outside entrances all season.

Earlier in the week there had been reports that the game might be moved because of the protests.

In the end, the game remained in St. Louis giving the Rams the opportunity to show a sign of solidarity to the hometown crowd.

MailOnline has contacted the NFL for comment.

Taken away: One protester is arrested by St. Louis Police outside the stadium on Sunday before the game began

United: Demonstrators protest outside the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis, Missouri on November 30, 2014

Some cheer: Oakland Raider fans Joe and Trisha Morrow, (right), take a photo with members of the National Guard on Sunday

Grievances: Demonstrators marched through the streets of St. Louis that eventually led to clashes with police officers and fans of an American Football game between the St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders

Prepared: Police in riot gear respond to Michael Brown shooting protesters outside of the Edward Jones Dome during the NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams

Activism: Across the street from the stadium, about 75 protesters gathered in the second half as about 30 police wearing riot gear watched from a safe distance

Michael Brown Sr. arrives for services at The Flood Christian Church on November 30, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown

Scouting: About 30 police wearing riot gear watched the protesters from a safe distance outside the Edward Jones Dome

Joining together: Outside the stadium protesters chanted ‘Hands up, don't shoot!’ ‘No Justice, No Football!’ ‘This is what Democracy looks like,’ and ‘We're here for Mike Brown’