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A vocal section of Millwall fans has been criticized for booing when players knelt in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before their match with Derby.
Saturday’s game at The Den was the first time fans have been able to attend Millwall Stadium since the coronavirus pandemic saw games interrupted in March.
Approximately 2,000 fans were in the stands, but the game was overshadowed by loud boos as players from both teams knelt before kick-off, and at least one fan yelled “stand up!”
After the match, the Football Association (FA) said it “strongly condemns” fans who “actively express their opposition” to players who oppose discrimination.
In a statement, he said: “The FA supports all players and staff who wish to take a stand against discrimination in a respectful manner, which includes kneeling, and strongly condemns the behavior of any spectator who actively expresses opposition to such occupations. . “
The Millwall players had issued a statement on Friday indicating their intention to continue kneeling before games until the New Year.
Footballers have knelt at the start of matches since soccer was resumed in June as part of worldwide sports protests against racial injustice.
Before the game, the Millwall player signaled his intention to keep kneeling until the New Year
The boo at Millwall was heavily criticized after the game.
Former England forward and Game of the Day host Gary Lineker wrote on Twitter: “Let’s be fair, it just seems to be a small minority of Millwall fans who didn’t boo the players who got down on their knees.”
Trevor Sinclair, former England and West Ham United player, said: “The reality is that Millwall fans booing players who kneel don’t surprise many.”
Soccer fans returned to The Den for the first time since games were halted by coronavirus
Former Wycombe Wanderers player Marcus Bean tweeted: “We all know the Millwall story, but I was still surprised / upset to hear the boos … Even more disturbing it sounded like most fans to me.
“BLM is an anti-racist movement. If you boo you’re just plain racist. #BlackLivesMatter.”
Millwall lost the match 1-0 when former England star Wayne Rooney claimed his first win as interim Derby boss.
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