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Millwall defender Mahlon Romeo has accused the club’s supporters of “spreading hatred” after a section of the fans booed when players knelt in support of the fight against racial injustice at the start of their match with Derby.
Saturday’s game at The Den, which Derby won 1-0, represented the first time Millwall supporters were able to attend a home game since the coronavirus pandemic brought the Championship to a halt in March.
Players from England’s major divisions have knelt at the start of matches since football was resumed in June as part of worldwide sports protests against racial injustice.
In a passionate post-match interview, Romeo, a London-born black player who has represented Antigua and Barbuda internationally, explained how the reaction of the club’s fans had affected him.
Millwall defender Mahlon Romeo played the full game when the Lions lost to Derby on Saturday
Romeo told the South London Press: “Today’s game, for me, has become irrelevant. The fans have been allowed in, which the whole team was waiting for. But in society there is a problem, and that problem is racism.
“The fans who have been able to enter today have disrespected me personally, not only me, but the football club. And what the football club and the community represent. What they have done is boo and condemn a peaceful gesture that it was launched to highlight, combat and stop any discriminatory behavior and racism – that’s it, that’s all that gesture.
“And the fans have chosen to boo that, which for the life of me I cannot understand. It has offended me and everyone who works for this club: the players and the staff.”
“I am speaking on my behalf here, not on any of the other players, I want to make that very clear. This is the first time I have felt disrespected. Because you have booed and condemned a peaceful gesture that – and needs to be repeated – was put in place. to highlight, combat and address any discriminatory behavior and racism in general. “
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Highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Derby
The incident occurred one day after the Millwall first team issued a statement indicating their intention to continue kneeling before matches until the new year, at which point the club will announce “a comprehensive new anti-discrimination strategy. “. .
Romeo wanted to emphasize that his anger was exacerbated by the possibility that booing could undo some of the “vital” work the club does in the community on social issues.
“I’m almost speechless,” he added. “I don’t know how they thought that would make me feel. I don’t know what they thought kneeling would mean. But I think I’ve explained it quite simply. I feel very low, probably the lowest of my” I have felt in my time at this club. .
Millwall players kneel as Derby forward Colin Kazim-Richards raises a fist in support of the fight against racial injustice
“It is something that I cannot understand. People will have their beliefs and points of view, to which everyone is entitled. I am not trying to stop or contain them, but if their beliefs and points of view are opposed to a positive change in society , then don’t Come to a soccer field and scatter them.
“If it’s negative, don’t think you can come to a soccer field and this is the place where you can essentially spread hate.”
“When fans boo a peaceful gesture to highlight racism, it naturally makes you wonder ‘why am I submitting to this?’ I’m sure not all Millwall fans share the same opinion, it’s a small collection. But Yes Being realistic made me feel very small and made me feel personally disrespectful. “
The incident was condemned by Derby striker Colin Kazim-Richards and acting boss Wayne Rooney after the match, while the English Football League (EFL), Football Association (FA) and anti-racist charity Kick It Out broadcast statements after the game.
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Millwall manager Gary Rowett was very disappointed that fans booed when players from both clubs knelt before the Derby game, but also emphasized that Millwall as a club has worked hard to campaign against racism.
Several hours after Saturday night’s game, Millwall had not offered an official response to the incident, but boss Gary Rowett said he was frustrated that the return of the fans had been eclipsed.
He said Sky sports: “I am disappointed that we are talking about that when we should be talking about the fact that we are all back and we want to enjoy the football game again.
“The club does a huge amount of work against racism and the club does a lot of work in the community and there are really positive things, so of course I am disappointed.”
On the kneeling players, Rowett added: “Is it a political message, is it an anti-discrimination message? Players have come out and said they don’t support the political aspect, but they do support the anti-discrimination aspect of and of course we all do. “.
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