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Kick It Out boss Ouseley helped save Millwall from race charges

- By MATT LAWTON Chief Sports Reporter

KicK it Out founder Lord Ouseley has twice helped Millwall escape punishment for alleged racist chanting, it can be revealed. the departing chairman of the anti-racism campaignin­g group was called as a witness for the club in 2004 and 2009. Yesterday the Football Associatio­n charged Millwall for a third time for a breach of such rules after some of their fans allegedly chanted racist language during last month’s FA cup encounter with Everton. Supporters could be heard using a term considered derogatory to the Asian community. in the wake of the Everton game, Ouseley was vocal in his criticism. He said the authoritie­s should have been better prepared for trouble because of Millwall’s history and complained that the FA’s disciplina­ry process in dealing with racism cases was ‘tortuous’. But Sportsmail understand­s Ouseley, a Millwall fan, has played an important role in the past in the club escaping censure. After West Ham’s carlton cole endured monkey chants in 2009, Millwall escaped punishment from the FA after proving they had taken measures to try to prevent racism within their ground. Ouseley appeared as a

see everyone talking about Wales, building up the expectatio­n. That can be either wind in your sails or a ball and chain. We’ll find out on Saturday which one it is. ‘We’re going to play a team who are proud of their heritage, who are establishi­ng their best winning record, their most famous coach is leaving and we get to be part of that. We get to spoil the party. We’re going to enjoy all of that. ‘They’re up to win 12 games in a row, it’s Warren’s last game (against England, in the Six Nations) as Wales coach before he takes over somewhere else. How lucky are we to be an England side going to play against Wales when they’re at their best? There will be 75,000 people in there going nuts and we’ve got a chance to spoil that party.’ But Wales coach Gatland responded: ‘He’s taking the mick! It’s a big game but it’s not the biggest game we’ve played in. It’s only against England. The only quotes I can see about this being the “greatest Welsh team ever” have come from Eddie Jones, it hasn’t come from anyone else. ‘I wouldn’t be disrespect­ful enough to say this was the greatest Welsh team ever. It’s a long way off. He’s the one talking us up. We’re all pretty aware that we’re on a good run and have done well in the last 12 months but let’s try to keep our feet on the ground. This is another game — a big game — for us, but we’re pretty excited for it. ‘It is a great challenge and we are excited to play at home against a team who are really on form at the moment. Win this game and I think it sets you up mentally, as much as anything, for the rest of the year. I’ve already had a text from John Mitchell (England’s defence coach) and Eddie Jones and we’re looking forward to catching up. It’s all fun and games but afterwards it’s about catching up with mates, enjoying the occasion and what should be a great game of rugby.’ England had their own winning run after Jones took charge, going on to match the world record of 17 consecutiv­e Test victories. Asked about the difficulty of maintainin­g such momentum, Jones said: ‘You carry more expectatio­n and it can work in two ways. The external part of that expectatio­n grows and that’s something you don’t control, and how you handle that... you will never know until you’re there. ‘We know Wales teams at home want to come out hard. Our job is to be like that heavyweigh­t boxer who knows exactly what he’s going to do, waits for the opportunit­y for the knockout and then takes it. We don’t want to get involved in endless spars that can’t win you the game. Just be calm, but at the same time tough, and have a real steel about us.’ Bath’s giant wing Joe Cokanasiga is poised for his Six Nations debut from the bench after making a strong impression in the autumn, while Brad Shields was preferred to Nathan Hughes as back-row cover, on account of his work-rate. WALES: Williams; North, J Davies, Parkes, Adams; Anscombe, G Davies; Evans, Owens, Francis; Hill, A W Jones (capt); Navidi, Moriarty, Tipuric. Subs: Dee, Smith, Lewis, Beard, Wainwright, A Davies, Biggar, Watkin. ENGLAND: Daly; Nowell, Slade, Tuilagi, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Moon, George, Sinckler; Lawes, Kruis; Wilson, B Vunipola, Curry. Subs: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Williams, Launchbury, Shields, Robson, Ford, Cokanasiga.

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