Football world horrified as fans boo players’ anti-racism protest

Outraged football legend Wayne Rooney slammed a club’s fan base after supporters responded to a pre-match ritual in the worst way imaginable.

Fans of English Championship club Millwall booed as players took a knee in support of the fight against racial injustice.

Booing from the stands at the London-based football club was heard after referee Darren England blew his whistle for the players to make the gesture.

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Players at Premier League and English Football League games have been taking a knee since football restarted in June following the coronavirus shutdown.

Only 2000 spectators were allowed inside the ground for the second-tier match between Millwall and Derby due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Fans of Millwall, who in the past gained a reputation for violence, revel in their unpopularity. Ahead of the game, the topic of players taking a knee was discussed on Millwall’s fans forum and the first-team squad said in a statement on the club’s website that they supported efforts to end discrimination.

“We wish to make clear that taking the knee, for us, is in no way representative of any agreement with political messaging or ideology,” it added. “It is purely about tackling discrimination, as has been the case throughout.”

The Football Association issued a statement after the match, which Derby won 1-0, saying it supported players’ right to protest.

“The FA supports all players and staff that wish to take a stand against discrimination in a respectful manner, which includes taking of the knee, and strongly condemns the behaviours of any spectators that actively voice their opposition to such activities,” a spokesman said.

Millwall booing the knee😐 pic.twitter.com/v3qfXRmf0Z

— Oliver⚒🎄 (@HammerzOliver) December 5, 2020

Derby coach, former England international Wayne Rooney, was also upset at the reaction the players received from the stands.

“To hear that is very disappointing and upsetting for a lot of people,” Rooney said.

“I’m pleased with how my team dealt with that. They’ve had to put that to the back of their minds for the 90 minutes but I’m sure it’s something they were thinking about.”

Rooney weighed in again on Monday (AEDT) after taking time to digest the matter, posting a scathing statement on social media blasting the “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,” Rooney wrote.

“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.

“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.”

Millwall fans were also slammed on social media. British media personality Piers Morgan was among the critics, but saved special praise for Derby star Colin Kazim Richards, who stood and raised his fist in opposition to the people booing.

“This is what courage looks like,” Morgan tweeted. “As Millwall morons booed players for kneeling to show solidarity against racial injustice — one man @ColinKazim stood up to them in heroic defiance.”

Richards himself spoke out after the game. “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,” he tweeted.

Footballers are taking a stand against racism.

Actor Reece Dinsdale said on Twitter the booing was “disgraceful” while UK politician Angela Rayner slammed the “disgusting scenes”.

Journalist Henry Winter called it “embarrassing from those Millwall fans” while cricket writer Barney Ronay added: “Those people at Millwall booing the players for taking the knee are an embarrassment to the club, south London, football and the rest of the modern world. @MillwallFC needs to make this very clear.

“People won’t have the same politics and agree about everything. But booing that moment is a racist act.”

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards told the BBC: “It is just disheartening. How do these fans get allocated to the games?”