THE FA have launched an investigation after some Millwall and Colchester fans booed as players took a knee.
Fans finally returned this weekend as Millwall took on Derby in the Championship and Colchester faced Grimsby in League Two.
Millwall fans booed as the players took a knee on the pitch before kick-offCredit: Alamy Live News
But the FA have confirmed an investigation is under way following two ‘crowd-related incidents’.
A statement from the Football Association read: “The FA can confirm that investigations are underway into crowd-related incidents at both The Den and JobServe Community Stadium on Saturday 5 December 2020.
“Observations have been sought from all of the relevant parties and they will have until Thursday 10 December 2020 to provide their respective responses.”
Players and officials have been taking a knee since June to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
But some of the 2,000 fans at Millwall’s Championship clash decided to jeer their own players for doing so.
Boos echoed around The Den as Derby’s Colin Kazim-Richards raised his fist in the air in a show of solidarity.
Interim Rams boss Wayne Rooney slammed the ‘disgraceful and mindless behaviour’ after his side’s 1-0 win.
A statement posted to social media by Rooney read: “Yesterday I witnessed disgraceful and mindless behaviour by a large section of the Millwal 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.
“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 the game sends.”
Colchester’s 2-1 win over Grimsby on Saturday was also tarnished by fans that decided to boo players as they made a stand against racism.
The U’s chairman Robbie Cowling has warned supporters they will not be welcome to matches if they continue to boo.
And he has even offered to refund their season tickets if they are against players taking a knee.
The Professional Footballers’ Association also strongly condemned the section of fans who booed.
Troy Deeney on Millwall fans booing players taking a knee
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
