On players taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Rowett added: 'Is it a political message, is it an anti-discrimination message? "There is much work to be done and at Millwall everyone is committed to doing all that is possible, both individually and collectively, to be a force for good and to ensure that the club remains at the forefront of football's anti-discrimination efforts.". Thats my view. Millwall fans booed after players took the knee ahead of their Championship clash with Derby. Millwall have said they are "dismayed and saddened" after fans booed players that took a knee ahead of their 1-0 defeat to Derby on Saturday. "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 club has a long and checkered past when it comes to violence, one that dates back more than a century. Its websites postgame match report made no mention of the incident that occurred before kickoff. Sheffield United are looking to put Wednesday evening's defeat to Middlesbrough behind them when they travel to Millwall this weekend. ', 'I am sure it is something that does need looking at and addressing. "It says to me that a minority of Millwall fans are spoiling it for a club that is going in the right direction with a tag they have had for years and years and they are trying to eradicate it.". 'Over the coming days, club, Academy and Community Trust staff will meet with Kick It Out and representatives from other appropriate bodies in an attempt to use Saturday's events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions which have an impact both in the short and long-term. Millwall lost the match on Jason Knights 69th minute goal. Lucas Moura. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was seen enjoying some Championship football on Saturday after heading to The Den to watch Millwall take on Norwich. Everyone at Derby has backed taking the knee and will continue to do so. Get a grip Laurence youre losing the plot.. The fans have been let back in which the whole team was looking forward to but in society there is a problem. Lions players have declined to take the knee . Fans returned to The . The Den was able to host 2,000 home fans. Former England striker and Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker wrote on Twitter: "Let's be fair, it only appears to be a small minority of Millwall fans that didn't boo the players taking the knee. 'It is our duty to reinforce the positive messaging. FEUDING fans marred Norwich's 2-0 Championship win over Millwall as police and stewards swarmed in to intervene.A handful of missiles - including SEAT . 'It is purely about tackling discrimination, as has been the case throughout. 'What this demonstrates is that players are right to continue standing up to discrimination, whether that is through taking the knee or speaking out. Their actions have been greeted with criticism with videos of the incident doing the rounds on social media. "Look at the actions of Marcus Rashford recently and what he's done to implement change. Rams veteran Colin Kazim-Richards slammed Millwalls boobirds on social media afterward, while also praising his Derby teammates and staffers for standing up for whats right. Anti-racism campaign Kick It Out said: 'We are saddened by the behaviour of fans booing the players taking the knee today at Millwall. "What this demonstrates is that platers are right to continue standing up to discrimination, whether that is through taking the knee or speaking out. A vocal section of Millwall fans have been branded an "absolute disgrace" for booing as players took the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. "Taking the knee, for us, is in no way representative of any agreement with political messaging or ideology. 'I don't want to say much about it, but all I can say is everyone at Derby County Football Club, we obviously took the knee, and no one condones that behaviour.'. Chelsea fans booed their team off the pitch at Stamford Bridge as they entered the half-time break level at 0-0 against Leeds United. Taking the knee in sport to protest racial injustice began when NFL star @Kaepernick7 was advised to do it by Green Beret @NateBoyer37 who told him is was something soldiers did to mark their respect for fallen comrades that died in battle. A lot of people are being fooled out there. No commitment. Everton midfielder Amadou Onana admits he's avoided this season's boo-boys. The gesture has been carried out by players and staff across the country originally in support of Black Lives Matter, before the Premier League distanced itself from the movement. Some spectators booed while players made the anti-racism . Speaking to theBBC, he added: 'There are 2,000 so you can pinpoint the people going. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It did hurt, but I wasn't surprised because what's happened is that a positive message in terms of unifying people from all different backgrounds - all different creeds, religions, genders, sexualities, races - has been conflated into something that is now being described as political activism. Dont think you come to this ground and spread hatred. ', Stan Collymore Tweeted a video of the booing and simply wrote: 'Shock. Millwall supporters booed their own players while they took the knee in support of the fight against racism at The Den this afternoon. "How do these fans get allocated to the games?" Do you stand in condemnation of every one of those men and their lives aswell? 'The players are continuing to use the biggest platform they have to support the drive for change, not just in football but in society generally. "I don't want to say much about it, but all I can say is everyone at Derby County Football Club, we obviously took the knee, and no one condones that behaviour," Rooney said. After Saturday's match, Lions boss Gary Rowett told Sky Sports: "I'm disappointed that we are talking about that when we should be talking about the fact we are all back and we want to enjoy the football match again. I don't even like talking about the matter. The EFL decided to allow individual players and teams in the Football League to make their own decision on whether to continue taking the knee while the gesture still takes place in the Premier League. 'We applaud the players for taking a stand and defying the hate shown today. Former England captain Rooney, whose side won Saturday's game 1-0, said afterwards it was "disappointing and upsetting" to hear the booing from supporters. Unlike the majority of clubs in the EFL, Millwall players have decided to stop taking the knee prior to their matches. The Millwall miscreants that call themselves fans made headlines over the weekend for booing the players who kneeled before kickoff ahead of the club's match against Derby County. The position was taken by National Football League (NFL) player Colin Kaepernick during the playing of the U.S. national anthem to call attention to racial injustice, and has been adopted by many sports players since. "The club has worked tirelessly in recent months to prepare for the return of supporters and what should have been a positive and exciting occasion was completely overshadowed, much to the immense disappointment and upset of those who have contributed to those efforts. 'It is so disheartening because it is like we have come so far but we have so far to go. Insistence that the knee is the morally superior way enforces religious rituals. Not all teams continue to take the knee before games, with Queens Park Rangers' director of football Les Ferdinand saying the impact of the stance had been 'diluted'. The pair were embroiled in another row earlier this week after Piers criticised Laurence for breaking lockdown rules by having friends over to his house for lunch. Millwall's own black players were called every racist name under the sun despite wearing our shirt with pride. Coventry are another team who have opted not to take a knee this season. Gary Rowett has been slammed for his comments after Millwall's defeat against Fulham on Tuesday night as he failed to condemn fans for booing the taking of a knee.. "The club do an enormous amount of work on anti-racism and the club do a lot of work in the community and there is some really positive stuff, so of course I am disappointed.". English soccer fans were allowed back into stadiums for the first time in almost a year on Saturday, but Millwall supporters didnt even make it to kickoff of the second-tier clubs match against Derby County before lustily booing both teams for taking a knee to call attention to systemic racism. It feels like it falls on deaf ears. Millwall-supporting hooligans eventually became so notorious that they have been featured in several television shows and films in the U.K. and abroad, including 2005s Green Street Hooligans.. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Millwall's fans grabbed the headlines before kick off as they continued to boo the Bluebirds players who took the knee along with their manager and the referee. 'To stand by their staff, and they have many black members of staff who are equally as hurt and are equally as damaged by the fact that their fanbase could dare to question what the players are trying to achieve.'. "On behalf of Derby County, 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.". Laurence then shared a photo of German footballers giving the Nazi salute before their game against England in 1935. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. https://t.co/RbovgLjVF1, Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 6, 2020. Creating a new men's skincare product leads to a sticky situation in Lord Sugar's boardroom Get latest scores and headlines sent straight to your phone, sign-up to our newsletter and learn where to find us on online. . SERIOUSLY??? A section of Millwall FC fans booed players who chose to take a knee. ", A Football Association spokesperson said: "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.". Proud of the staff. "We were made aware of the possibility of a planned disruptive response during the taking of the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign," said the former Everton and Manchester United player. Football players originally started taking the knee when the 2019-2020 season resumed in June. The role became vacant after previous incumbent. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Stewards and police were seen among the supporters during the scuffles in the Welsh capital, which occurred during the Lions' 3-1 defeat in the Championship fixture. The latest rumours and stories from around the world of football. "It is really important that the vast majority of us show respect and support of each other," said Rooney, 35. However, the Premier League and EFL made the decision toreplace the BLM slogan on shirts after growing concerns the movement has beenhijacked by extremists. It is the 1938 England football association position you are mocking Piers. I am sick to death of talking about this situation. Millwall have released a statement after their game with Derby County on Saturday was overshadowed by fans booing players taking the knee before the match. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. The outspoken personalities got into a Twitter clash on Sunday while discussing the horrific incident that took place during the Millwall and Derby football game this weekend. On Friday, Millwall's first-team squad issued a statement supporting efforts to rid the game "of all forms of discrimination". I have spoken on the matter throughout my footballing life. Their black players like Mahlon Romeo were heartbroken yesterday. #61. When both sets of players made the now customary anti-racism gesture, there were. It is time and time and time again. Read about our approach to external linking. 'The impact of such incidents is felt not just by the players and management, but by those who work throughout the club and in its Academy and Community Trust, where so many staff and volunteers continue passionate endeavours to enhance Millwall's reputation day after day, year after year.