Millwall vow to 'be force for good' after fans booed players taking a knee
Millwall have vowed to work with antiracism charities “to be a force for good” after widespread condemnation of some of their supporters’ decision to boo players taking a knee before their home defeat to Derby on Saturday.
The fallout from the incident at the Den continued on Sunday, with environment secretary George Eustice accused of “providing shelter to racists” after failing to condemn their actions, while Derby’s interim manager Wayne Rooney said supporters should not “tolerate or accept” the actions of “mindless” fans who take part in discriminatory behaviour.
Millwall, who are due to face Queens Park Rangers at the Den on Tuesday, said in a lengthy statement that the club had been left “dismayed and saddened” and admitted the booing had “completely overshadowed” the return of supporters to their home ground for the first time in nine months.
“The impact of such incidents is felt not just by the players and management, but also by those who work throughout the club and in its academy and community trust, where so many staff and volunteers continue passionate endeavours to enhance Millwall’s reputation day after day, year after year,” said the statement.
“The club will not allow their fine work to be in vain. The players are continuing to use the biggest platform they have to support the drive for change, not just in football but in society generally. There is much work to be done and at Millwall everyone is committed to doing all that is possible, both individually and collectively, to be a force for good and to ensure that the club remains at the forefront of football’s anti-discrimination efforts.
“Over the coming days, club, academy and community trust staff will meet with Kick It Out and representatives from other appropriate bodies in an attempt to use Saturday’s events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions which have an impact both in the short and long-term. Further comment will be made once those meetings and discussions are concluded.”
But Rooney, who secured his first win with a 1-0 victory, revealed on Sunday that he and his players had been warned before the match about the potential response of some home fans “but nothing prepared us for what we heard”.
“We were made aware of the possibility of a planned disruptive response during the taking of the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign,” added England’s record goalscorer.
“On behalf of Derby County Football Club, I want it to be clear to everyone associated with the club that we represent all sectors of our community regardless of colour, gender or sexuality. It is important we do not tolerate or accept the actions of the mindless few.”
Millwall’s players are expected to take the knee once again before their Championship fixture against QPR, although their London rivals will not. In September Les Ferdinand – the only black director of football in the senior English game – defended the club’s decision for players to no longer take a knee because the gesture had become “little more than good PR”.