Fan facing lifetime ban for booing knee gesture

A CHAMPIONSHIP club has threatened to issue a lifetime ban to a supporter for booing while players took a knee this week.

As reported by Sportsmail on Tuesday, clubs have been using CCTV to identify supporters who jeer the pre-match gesture in support of racial equality since the return of fans this month. And one club has reviewed video footage and witness statements to identify a fan who, pending an investigation involving the club’s equality and diversity chief, could be become the first supporter in the country to be permanently barred from a stadium for booing as players took the knee.

The move follows a zerotolerance pledge from Colchester’s chairman Robbie Cowling after their match was also marred by booing when players took the knee. Millwall’s clash with Derby last Saturday was another overshadowed by home fans disrespecting players who choose to kneel.

To avoid a potential repeat on Tuesday, Millwall players stood, with their defender Mahlon Romeo also raising a fist, while opponents QPR took the knee. Millwall’s squad decided as a team to change their stance following discussions on the matter that continued until close to kick-off.

Lions manager Gary Rowett, whose players also stood alongside QPR’s before kick-off behind a banner calling for equality, has dismissed suggestions they were pressured into any changes by the club following the fan backlash.

He told the South London Press: ‘It’s actually quite insulting if people think that is what we’d do.’