Millwall manager calls for end to taking knee after fans’ boos
Gary Rowett, the Millwall manager, has claimed taking the knee is causing a rift in football and authorities must devise a more unifying message against racism in the game.
Rowett called for a “better way to unify people” after Fulham’s players faced boos while making the gesture at the Den on Tuesday. Fulham’s players knelt ahead of the Championship match, but Millwall’s team chose to stand ahead of kickoff, some with a fist in the air.
However, the Millwall manager’s calls for a “more positive” way to demonstrate against racism prompted Sky Sports pundit Jobi Mcanuff to say he was “disappointed” in fans booing and with what Rowett said after the game.
The south London club were one of the first to stop taking the knee last season, with the club facing criticism over anti-black Lives Matter jeering by fans, initially in the game against Derby County
Rowett said on Tuesday: “Up and down the country there are so many football clubs that do such good work in their communities around equality and anti-racism. We need the authorities to help clubs out and find a better way to unify people.
“I don’t want to comment on individual people’s decision to do that, but we just need to find a way to unify people. At the moment, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, before a game is just causing such a rift and divide.
“Football is a great spectacle. It has the power to help communities and do some really good work behind the scenes. It’s not just our club, there’s a lot of clubs doing that. We need help to find a more positive way of taking some form of action.”
Last season Millwall opted to conduct their own campaign against racism and inequality before games, asking each opposing team to join them in linking arms and displaying an anti-racism banner.
But former Reading captain Mcanuff criticised Rowett’s stance after Millwall’s 2-1 defeat by Fulham. “I was disappointed by booing the knee initially and I’m disappointed by Gary’s reaction,” he said. “I don’t think we can be any clearer in terms of the message behind taking the knee and what it stands for. What it represents is the fight against racism and discrimination.”