Players have talked about WALKING OFF the court if fans keep booing by grabbing the knee

Players have discussed leaving the field if fans continue to disrespect their fight against racism.

How Sportsmail Revealed on Monday, the FA confirmed they are investigating the embarrassing scenes in which fans booed players kneeling in Millwall and Colchester on Saturday. And as the fallout escalated Monday, it can be revealed:

• Footballers have spoken privately about leaving the field as a last resort.
• Clubs are ready to use CCTV footage to root out fans guilty of boos.
• Players believe that kneeling is still an important gesture.

Millwall fans booed after players knelt before their Championship clash with Derby

The FA is investigating the embarrassing scenes in which fans booed kneeling players.

Footballers across the country will double down on the now-common gesture of kneeling before kickoff in a show of solidarity after the disturbing events at The Den and JobServe Community Stadium.

Millwall and QPR joined forces Monday night after a heated video call with Kick It Out, Show Racism the Red Card, the PFA, the FA and the EFL, whose president Rick Parry was in attendance.

Both clubs issued statements to say their players would be arm in arm in a “show of solidarity for soccer’s fight against discrimination” before kick-off at The Den on Tuesday night.

But there are fears that the atmosphere is even more toxic than it was on Saturday.

Players will also hold up an anti-racism banner, with QPR adding: ‘In addition to this, some of our players wish to kneel down and we fully support this action.’

Followers were able to return to The Den for the first time since the Covid outbreak in March.

The haunting scenes of the weekend served to remind players that there is still a long way to go in eradicating prejudices from English football.

When asked about recent events, England coach Gareth Southgate said Monday night: ‘The decision of all the players and staff across the country has been a decision of solidarity with their teammates, one of solidarity with blacks in society. In no way have I seen that as a political statement. ‘

But among gamers, the prevailing mood is that they may have to take matters into their own hands to force lasting change.

Sources revealed that players have discussed the practicalities of leaving if they feel they are subject to racial discrimination.

Players from both clubs knelt before kick-off as part of the ongoing fight against racism

Watford captain Troy Deeney said he would have no qualms about leaving.

When they boo, I’ll still be there. But if you get to that line of racial things that they say to me or my players, we’ve already had a conversation about what happens. We walked, simple, ‘he said.

“We are not here to be racially abused, we are here to play soccer and entertain.”

There is a consensus that you should persist in kneeling as a campaign tool given the global popularity of the Premier League.

A well-placed source said: ‘Children are now wondering:’ Why are the players kneeling? ‘ That’s the most valuable educational tool you can get. ‘

The FA has solicited comments from the Millwall and Colchester League Two championship clubs, neither of which have adhered to the governing body’s Leadership Diversity Code.

Watford forward Troy Deeney said he will walk off the field if he hears racial abuse in The Den.

Deeney said the scenes on Saturday demonstrated the need for more campaigns against racism in soccer.

However, as Sportsmail reported Monday, there are significant doubts that the FA can prove that the events were racist.

Colchester President Robbie Cowling issued a strong statement Monday, saying: ‘Perhaps those who booed on Saturday can now understand what this gesture means to our club and will at least remain silent during future games as the players continue. kneeling before each kickoff.

Alternatively, they should stay away from our club.

Meanwhile, clubs will use stadium surveillance cameras to identify fans who do not respect players who kneel.