Defiant Romeo makes a stand
No boos, but only QPR take knee
It was no accident that the first step back in the right direction was taken by Mahlon Romeo. For Millwall, and for English football, there could be no be more fitting architect of change.
Last night, in the minutes before the London derby against QPR, Romeo led Millwall out of the tunnel and into the Lions’ Den. It was a brave and powerful image.
Only three days ago, Romeo had stood on the same spot and heard some of his own supporters boo players taking the knee. Only three days earlier, the defender was ‘almost lost for words’ as football’s fight against racism took a depressing turn.
Forever hostile territory for visiting players, the home of Millwall was never meant to make its own feel unwelcome. But that was the result of saturday’s protest in the stands. their reasoning? Opposition apparently to the left-wing aims of the Black Lives Matter organisation.
the response from outside was sceptical at best. Last night was a chance for Millwall and their fans to make another stand.
For a few moments, time stood still. and then it began: no boos, no hostility, no need to wonder if players would be forced from the field. Instead, as the two sides came together before kick-off — holding a banner in a united show against discrimination — only cheers and a standing ovation.
as QPR’s players dropped to one knee and Romeo held his fist to the sky, only clapping and the din of Millwall’s unmistakeable drone.
In the stands, chief executive steve Kavanagh led the applause. He allowed a thin smile to crack across his face. For him, this club and English football, it was the response everyone needed.
But how much was there really to celebrate? should we be pleased — or concerned — that Millwall were forced to devise a new gesture against racism to avoid more sickening scenes. should they have responded to those who sullied saturday’s clash with Derby by sticking to their guns?
whether this is a meaningful step in the fight for equality remains to be seen.
as QPR director of football Les Ferdinand said in september, the power of gestures becomes ‘diluted’ without change. and without action. Last night’s symbols of solidarity will not erase the damage done against Derby. But at least the picture did not grow bleaker.
Millwall had described it as ‘one of the most important days’ in their history. In a letter handed to each of the 2,000 in attendance, they called on fans to do their ‘duty’ and support their initiative, United For Change. It struck the right tone until the final few words. ‘the eyes of the world are on this football club tonight — your club — and they want us to fail,’ they wrote. It was a bizarre statement, and a particularly unhelpful one.
Millwall have always taken pride in their infamy — ‘no one likes us’ and all that. But it seems they do care. and any suggestion that English football had revelled in their racism storm, that anyone wanted to see more hatred and bile, was pathetic. Particularly when staff at Millwall were said to be ‘distraught’ over saturday’s scenes. Fortunately that sour message was not allowed to mar the evening at large.
Millwall fans backed the team’s gesture; their players sported shirts carrying the Kick It Out logo; normal sponsors Huski Chocolate made a donation to the anti-racism charity.
and before kick- off, Millwall winger Jed wallace hit a more helpful note. ‘the world of football will be watching us,’ he said. ‘It’s a great opportunity for us to show how much hard work goes into this football club and the community. I’m proud to play for Millwall. I’m sure tonight we’ll do the footballing world proud.’
Once the referee blew his whistle, those Millwall fans needed Gary Rowett’s side to put that pride into their performance.
Defeat by Derby meant their winless run had stretched to eight games, and a smattering of boos did ring out around the Den after QPR took a second-half lead.
Ilias Chair unleashed a rocket from outside the box and took a knee in celebration alongside Bright Osayi-samuel. By the end, however, Millwall’s mood had improved after Jon Dadi Bodvarsson saw a shot deflected in for the equaliser.
Romeo was named man of the match for a tireless display. there can be no arguments over how vital he is to Millwall — both on and off the pitch.
as the players headed down the tunnel, Kavanagh puffed out his cheeks in the stand. Below him, Romeo took off his shirt and held the Kick It Out logo aloft. It was fitting he had the last word.