BOOING FANS A DISGRACE, SAYS ROONEY
RAMS INTERIM BOSS CALLS BEHAVIOUR BY SOME SUPPORTERS DURING TAKING OF KNEE ‘DISGRACEFUL’
DERBY County interim manager Wayne Rooney has urged football fans not to “tolerate or accept” the actions of “mindless” fans who take part in discriminatory behaviour.
There were 2,000 Millwall supporters allowed to attend Saturday’s Championship clash at The Den and it was the first match the Rams have played in front of fans since early March.
As has been the case since June, players took a knee shortly before kick-off to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing fight against racial discrimination.
When the players joined the prematch ritual, a section of home fans were clearly heard to be booing.
Rooney released a statement on Twitter saying: “Yesterday I witnessed disgraceful and mindless behaviour by a large section of the Millwall supporters in the stadium.
“Prior to the match we were aware of the possibility of a planned disruptive response during the taking of the knee in support of the BLM campaign, but nothing prepared us for what we heard.
“I was proud of my players and staff for not letting the fans deter them from continuing to present a positive and important message that taking the knee immediately before a game sends. The professionalism of the players on both sides throughout the game was a credit to our profession, after such an incident.
“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. Fans being allowed back in to stadiums is vital for the wellbeing of everybody involved in our sport, from fans to players to chairmen and owners.
“It is therefore really important that the vast majority of us show respect and support of each other and do not tolerate or accept the actions of the mindless few.”
Rams striker Colin Kazim-Richards, who stood with a fist raised rather than kneeling, tweeted: “Having to say this is a pain but I’ll say it every single damn time, this is why I STAND and STAND PROUD and I have to say every single person involved with @dcfcofficial did too, made me proud to wear this shirt with the boys today!!! Absolute disgrace.”
Millwall released a club statement saying: “Millwall Football Club was dismayed and saddened by events which marred Saturday’s game against Derby County at The Den.
“The club has worked tirelessly in recent months to prepare for the return of supporters and what should have been a positive and exciting occasion was completely overshadowed, much to the immense disappointment and upset of those who have contributed to those efforts.
“The impact of such incidents is felt not just by the players and management but 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.
“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.”
The club stated that 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.
The statement finished by saying that further comment will be made once those meetings and discussions are concluded.
Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari has applauded the players of Millwall and Derby for “defying the hate shown by some fans”
Bhandari said in a statement to the PA news agency: “We are saddened by the behaviour of fans booing the players taking the knee today at Millwall.
“What this demonstrates is that players are right to continue standing up to discrimination, whether that is through taking the knee or speaking out.
“The fight for racial equality continues and we will continue to work closely with clubs across the country to tackle discrimination in all its forms.”