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      Swansea probe after booing from OUTSIDE stadium as players took knee in support of Black Lives Matter against Reading

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      SWANSEA will investigate booing and jeering which came from OUTSIDE the Liberty Stadium before the goalless draw against Reading as both teams took the knee.
      Steve Cooper’s promotion hopefuls were left frustrated as Royals goalkeeper Rafael Cabral produced a series of stunning saves, but the big talking point came before a ball was kicked.

      Swansea will investigate booing from outside the stadium as players took the knee

      As both sides took the knee before kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, a loud series of horns and booing noises were heard from a group gathered outside the ground.
      It is unclear who the group were or indeed their motives, but it was the second successive Swansea home game in which it has occurred.
      Their head coach Cooper, 41, said: “I heard some noises but I couldn’t tell what it was. Let’s find out and the reasons behind it.
      “In terms of taking the knee we are a club which has continued to commit to it.”

      On the field Cooper’s men were playing their first game on the new Liberty Stadium pitch.
      The old one – which is shared with rugby union side The Ospreys – had been ripped up before Christmas after it deteriorated badly.
      Cabral was the man to deny the Welsh side time and time again.
      The Brazilian had conceded 12 goals in five games in November during Reading’s poor run, but he was outstanding here to earn his team a gritty point.

      Reading manager Veljko Paunovic said he was aware of the booing pre-match but did not comment further. Instead he rightly hailed Cabral’s display.
      “He was man of the match for me and I am very happy with his performance,” Paunovic said. “He is the pillar of our defence.
      “We built our identity on defence at the start of the season and we are slowly getting that back.”  

      Millwall fans clap and cheer at The Den as QPR take the knee ahead of Championship game More

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      Top Premier League stars vote overwhelming to continue taking knee in support of BLM with 80 PER CENT in favour

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      TOP players have reacted to the yobbish behaviour of fans opposed to them ‘taking a knee’ by voting overwhelmingly to continue doing it.
      The Professional Footballers Association sent a questionnaire to its members asking if they still felt it was the best way to show their support for the anti-racism movement.

      Top players have voted overwhelmingly to continue taking the kneeCredit: Getty

      And 80 per cent of the players who responded said they wanted to continue the gesture.
      That was rather than alternative ways of getting the message across – even if it meant being booed by the football louts.
      That reaction delighted PFA executives, who issued a statement saying it was heartening to learn that players would ‘support continuing this act of solidarity despite any adverse responses that may be received.’
      With up to 2,000 fans now being allowed to attend matches, no-one could have predicted the unsavoury way some supporters would react to their players taking a knee before kick off.

      The first incident came at Millwall on December 5, when fans booed the players before their home match against Derby. 
      The London club later released a statement saying they were ‘dismayed and saddened’ by the behaviour of those supporters.
      At Exeter, a fan was thrown out for booing the gesture before the played Harrogate on Tuesday.
      And there were more jeers than cheers before the start of Cambridge’s game against Colchester.

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      Those events prompted the PFA to launch their survey asking players to reply to five questions, which were:
      Do you want to take the knee as a squad?
      Do you want to take the knee individually?
      If the knee is shown resistance by fans do you think it should be reconsidered?
      Would you welcome an alternative to taking a knee?
      If so, please give details?
      The PFA released a statement after they received more than 400 replies, with a huge majority voting to keep taking a knee.
      The statement said: “This powerful symbol of solidarity represents the players’ commitment to anti-racism and is not an endorsement of any political position.
      “The decision to take the knee before matches was initially made by Premier League captains during Project Restart, to show solidarity with Black people facing discrimination globally.
      “It is a peaceful act of unity that highlights a persistent and systemic issue.”

      Millwall fans clap and cheer at The Den as QPR take the knee ahead of Championship game More

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      Millwall fans applaud as QPR players take knee with Lions wearing ‘Kick It Out’ logo after booing shame

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      MILLWALL’S players donned Kick It Out logos on their shirts as fans applauded players taking a knee.
      The Lions staged an alternative anti-racism protest before Tuesday’s London derby with QPR after fans shamefully booed the gesture last weekend.

      All eyes were on Millwall tonight as they responded to the booing shame of the weekendCredit: PA:Press Association

      Most QPR players took the knee aswell at the start of the gameCredit: Sky Sports

      Millwall star Mahlon Romeo spoke of his hurt at what happened at the weekend – he stood with a raised fist before tonight’s gameCredit: PA:Press Association

      Players instead were directed to stand arm-in-arm in a ‘show of solidarity for football’s fight against discrimination’.
      The teams also held aloft a banner calling for an end to all forms of discrimination and — for one game only — the Lions replaces their sponsors with the Kick It Out logo.
      The club’s usual shirt sponsor, Huski Chocolate’ will donate the money usually afforded to this to Kick It Out.
      No Millwall players took a knee before kick off after discussions with the club.

      However, some QPR stars chose to, and they were largely applauded by fans inside the ground.

      Millwall and QPR players held up a banner against racismCredit: Sky Sports

      Millwall fans clapped the teams coming together against racismCredit: Sky Sports

      This letter has not gone down well in some quarters, with the last two lines particularly slammed
      Fans visiting the London stadium tonight were also given a letter that highlighted how important an end to discrimination is in the game.
      But the last couple of lines of the letter were slammed by Sky Sports pundits Don Goodman and Keith Andrews.
      It read: “The eyes of the world are on this football club tonight – your coub – and they want us to fail.

      “Together as one, we will not let that happen.”
      Goodman said: “I nearly fell of this chair. I wanted to feel sorry for them, but I think they have scored a PR own goal.
      “I like the idea, but that last little bit, I think it’s a silly thing for a football club to put out in an official capacity.
      “Where is that coming from? I don’t think it is going to help anybody.”

      Ilias Chair celebrates with Bright Osayi-Samuel by taking a knee after scoring in the second halfCredit: Getty Images

      “How is that going to help anybody?”The studio team react to Millwall’s letter handed to supporters tonight ahead of their return to The Den📺 Watch Millwall v QPR on Sky Sports Football now pic.twitter.com/iGadu440wM
      — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 8, 2020

      Andrews added: “What is all that about? That arrives ten minutes before the two of us are going on air, and we are blown away.
      “It’s completely changed my stance because I was trying to see it from the football club’s point of view, the perspective of them, what can they control.
      “They can control a statement they put out, a letter to the fans.
      “That’s bamboozled me, it’s a disgrace. We don’t want them to fail, we want it to be eradicated.”
      The club made headlines for all the wrong reasons at the weekend when some of their fans booed players taking the knee before the game against Derby.

      This is the shirt the Millwall players wore against QPRCredit: Millwall FC
      The FA have since launched an investigation in the aftermath of the shocking scenes.
      Millwall’s Commercial Director Stuart Lock told the club website: “It has been a challenging few days but we must – and have – rally together and unite for the good of the club and society.
      “I would like to thank Huski Chocolate for their vital assistance towards our aims and initiatives and look forward to continuing our relationship for years to come.”

      Some fans booed when Millwall’s players took the knee to highlight racial discrimination last weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Den welcomed back 2,000 supporters for the first time since the start of the pandemic for their 1-0 defeat to Wayne Rooney’s Derby.
      But they sparked an anti-discrimination row after their vocal protest from the stands.
      As the players got down on one knee, with Derby’s Colin Kazim-Richards instead standing and raising his fist – a symbol of solidarity – boos echoed around the stadium.
      The mindless actions of those fans were blasted by Rooney who called for the issue to be ‘looked at and addressing’.
      Kazim-Richards branded the jeering an ‘absolute disgrace’ and Millwall’s own black star, Mahlon Romeo, declared: “Today’s game has become irrelevant.”

      Millwall fans boo their own players on first game back at The Den after they take knee in anti-discrimination row More

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      Millwall fans booing reminded us of size of task in racism fight – but we must keep going

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      UP until Saturday, there had been plenty of genuine, well-meaning debate over whether footballers should still be taking the knee.
      To have been at Villa Park in June, for the Premier League’s restart, when this action was first taken at an English football ground, was to experience an unmistakably significant moment.

      Some fans booed as Millwall players took the kneeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The impact was powerful and the message clear — unity against racial discrimination. Yet when does such a show of solidarity, repeated over months, lose its meaning?
      When does taking the knee become a box-ticking gesture, no more important than another social-media hashtag?
      Was it self-defeating for the BBC to continue showing players taking the knee before the highlights of each Premier League match?
      Were even supportive people becoming bored by it?

      Were they beginning to feel resentful that a message was being rammed down their throats?
      I didn’t feel that way but I respected the argument.
      And I certainly respected Les Ferdinand, the former England striker who is director of football at Queens Park Rangers, one of the few professional clubs which consistently employs black people in positions of off-field authority.
      Sir Les, a man so admired he carries English football’s only unofficial knighthood, was rightly bristling at criticism directed at QPR when their players decided not to take the knee at the start of the season.

      Ferdinand said: “The taking of the knee has reached a point of ‘good PR’ but little more than that. The message has been lost.
      “Taking the knee will not bring about change — actions will.
      “Our Under-18s were forced to abandon a game in August 2019 against (Spanish club) AD Nervion FC due to racist abuse.
      “More than 12 months on, Uefa refused to deal with the situation and the Spanish FA did nothing.”
      Yet the actions of Millwall fans in booing the taking of the knee, when 2,000 were readmitted to The Den for Saturday’s match against Derby, showed us why this act of defiance must continue.

      All eyes will be on Millwall after the small-minded actions of a few fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Just imagine the mindset which allows somebody to think ‘ haven’t been to the match for nine months, the first thing I want to do is boo the concept of racial equality’.
      Tonight QPR visit Millwall and the two clubs have agreed to link arms instead.
      Players may still take the knee — and kudos to anyone who does because, while such pondlife still infects football and wider society, the need for action remains.
      This is not just a Millwall problem, though.
      Remember the boneheads of the Burnley Air Force flying a ‘White Lives Matter’ banner over the Etihad, only to be shot down verbally by the club’s excellent captain Ben Mee?
      And this weekend there was also booing of players taking the knee at Colchester, whose chairman Robbie Cowling has offered to refund season-ticket money to supporters who cannot at least respectfully tolerate the action.

      Some Burnley fans shockingly flew this banner over Turf MoorCredit: Reuters
      But it would be ridiculous to suggest Millwall do not have a deep-seated problem with racism.
      The club were fined last year after racist chanting in an FA Cup match against Everton and the response of their supporters’ group to Saturday’s booing pandered to the ‘I’m Not Racist But . . . ’ mentality.
      Some Millwall supporters suggest they were booing Marxism rather than anti-racism, due to apparent links between the Black Lives Matter movement and far-left politics.
      As if professional footballers are all Marxist sympathisers, or are stupid enough to be duped into supporting such ideas. Not likely.
      Some continue to claim sport and politics should never mix — always a strange idea but stranger than ever after Marcus Rashford’s extraordinary success in campaigning against child poverty.
      Liam Rosenior — who, like Rashford, seems a far more eloquent politician than any of our actual politicians — gave an excellent interview on the issue on Sunday.
      The Derby coach, who is helping to choose the next FA chairman but should just appoint himself, called out cabinet minister George Eustice for pedalling the myth that taking the knee was linked to Marxism.
      Rosenior suggested Millwall fans might even have done us a favour by refocusing minds against ignorance and prejudice.
      And supporters of Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool widely applauded the taking of the knee this weekend, presumably in direct response to events at The Den.
      Because taking the knee will only become a meaningless gesture once racism is eradicated from football and society.
      And Millwall fans have reminded us there are still plenty of thick skulls we need to penetrate.
      Mour in tank
      I’VE spent the last two Sunday afternoons watching Gareth Bale’s back as Tottenham’s Galactico warmed up directly in front of me throughout the derbies with Chelsea and Arsenal.
      On neither occasion did Bale get on, as Jose Mourinho’s men executed their game-plan perfectly.

      Gareth Bale will likely get more opporutnities as the season goes onCredit: Reuters
      Although Bale managed to obstruct Kieran Tierney from taking a throw in the second half of the North London derby.
      Bale’s arrival transformed the mood around White Hart Lane after their opening-day defeat by Everton.
      Yet the Real Madrid loanee has started only one Premier League match, at West Brom a month ago, and has not played a minute of domestic football since.
      At the moment we’re not sure whether Bale remains a world-class player — although he is still capable of sprinting backwards and forwards over short distances and stretching a lot.
      But he might still be the ace up Mourinho’s sleeve in a title race Tottenham’s manager refuses to acknowledge his team are even part of.
      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER claims Manchester United are one of the most consistent teams in the Premier League.
      They are certainly consistently awful at home, while in away matches they are consistently awful in the first half and consistently brilliant in the second half.
      And Paul Pogba is consistently making transfer requests.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is taking time getting things to click at UnitedCredit: PA:Press AssociationBEFORE his double against West Brom, Christian Benteke had managed just six goals in three seasons for Crystal Palace.
      Yet he still makes the Belgium squad, ranked No 1 in the world by Fifa, and is still often selected by as experienced a manager as Roy Hodgson.
      It is almost as if there is more to being a modern-day  centre forward than scoring goals.
      Yet in Benteke’s case, few people ever seem to acknowledge that.
      AFTER scoring five goals in a week, is Olivier Giroud being referred to as ‘underrated’ so often that he is almost in danger of becoming overrated?
      KOP MADE ME RADIO GA GA
      THERE are many things to enjoy about supporters being back at the football.
      There are radio presenters falling silent to allow us to hear The Kop singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ with ‘lumps in our throats’ and telling us ‘this means more’ to Liverpool fans and what a ‘knowledgeable crowd’ they are at Anfield.
      But, like I said, there are also many things to enjoy about supporters being back at the football.
      VARD NOT TO LOVE HIM
      IF ever a single moment could sum up a particular footballer perfectly it had to be Jamie Vardy, a boyhood Sheffield Wednesday fan, scoring a breakaway 90th-minute winner against Sheffield United then celebrating by demolishing a corner flag.
      What a glorious little toerag he is. Bet you wish he was on your team.

      Watch Jamie Vardy score after slaloming run from own half for non-league side Stocksbridge Park Steels versus FC United of Manchester More

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      Millwall to DITCH knee after fans’ booing shame as club plan alternative anti-racism protest against QPR

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      MILLWALL players will stand arm-in-arm with QPR tonight  in a “show of solidarity for football’s fight against discrimination”.
      The FA have launched a probe  after Lions fans booed players who took a knee before Saturday’s home defeat to Derby.

      As Millwall and Derby players kneeled, with the exception of Colin Kazim-Richards who stood with one arm raised, some fans booedCredit: Alamy Live News

      So in an effort to avoid a repeat and unite their  supporters in the fight against racism, the club  will now stage an alternative anti-racism protest at The Den.
      The teams will  hold aloft a banner calling for an end to all forms of discrimination and —  for one game only —  the Lions will replace their sponsors with the Kick It Out logo on the front of their shirts.
      It follows talks with  Show Racism The Red Card, the PFA, FA and EFL yesterday.
      Opponents QPR agreed to take part the new protest – despite having earlier announced they would be taking the knee.

      A number of Hoops stars still intend to take the knee and Millwall have called upon fans inside the stadium to respect this.
      The South London club’s fans were widely critcised for booing players for doing so against the Rams.
      But the Lions hope these new measures will appease their followers – many of whom oppose Black Lives Matter because of its political views.
      Millwall believe this alternative protest will allow their crowd to show they are against racism.

      The club added: “Millwall’s stance, as always, is that anybody found guilty of racial abuse is banned for life.”
      Millwall also intend to become the first to launch an in-house audit of employees in a bid to improve diversity.
      QPR stopped taking the knee as a team at the start of the season, with director of football Les Ferdinand suggesting its impact had become “little more than good PR”.
      Speaking before last night’s decision that   players would link arms,  Hoops boss Mark Warburton revealed his players had decided on a U-turn over taking the knee.
      He said: “We stand as a club against any form of discrimination.
      “We felt kneeling had run its course but in light of recent events, were we to pay individual thoughts, it might be perceived incorrectly and we don’t want that to happen.
      “The players understand that and came to me, I had to agree with them.
      “So we will take the knee in this game. It’s not about token gestures — but positive action. We will show solidarity because we will not tolerate discrimination.”
      The FA confirmed they are investigating incidents at Millwall, as well as Colchester’s League One match against Grimsby. Teams have until Thursday to respond.
      Despite widespread fury, the FA may struggle to find any rules which have been broken and which would allow them to  consider action. More

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      Millwall condemn fans booing after stars take knee as Agbonlahor claims he was racially abused by 12-year-old at The Den

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      MILLWALL finally condemned their own supporters who booed the players taking a knee.
      And Gabby Agbonlahor revealed he was racially abused by a 12-year-old at The Den as the Lions’ fanbase came under criticism again.

      Millwall condemned the fans who booed their players taking a knee before kick-off against DerbyCredit: Alamy Live News

      On the day 2,000 home fans were allowed back in at Millwall, many overshadowed the occasion by verbalising their disgust at the taking of a knee.
      Players continue to use the gesture before kick-offs to highlight the ongoing fight to eradicate racial discrimination in society – although some clubs distanced themselves from supporting the Black Lives Matter movement directly for political reasons.
      The booing at The Den took place just a day after Millwall had released a statement, signalling their intentions to keep taking a knee before matches until they unveil ‘a new and comprehensive anti-discrimination strategy’ in the New Year.
      And almost 24 hours after the incident ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Wayne Rooney’s men, Millwall hit out at their own supporters who ‘marred’ the day.

      A club statement said: “Millwall Football Club was dismayed and saddened by events which marred Saturday’s game against Derby County at The Den.
      “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.
      “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.
      “The club will not allow their fine work to be in vain.

      “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.
      “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.”
      Millwall added that club representatives will meet with anti-racism football organisation Kick It Out.
      Aston Villa hero Agbonhalor recalled his disgusting experience at the South London stadium – and insisted if he was a Millwall player today he would refuse to play for the club again.
      He told talkSPORT: “I’m not surprised to be honest.
      “If there was one stadium where I would say this would have happened with fans going back in, it is exactly this stadium.
      “Because when I played there, I was on the bench for an FA Cup game, and I was racially abused by 12-year-olds to 70-year-olds whilst I’m warming up.
      “At the time I’m just looking at them like, ‘Why?’ I was just laughing at them.

      But having to say this is a pain but I’ll say it every single damn time this is why I STAND and STAND PROUD and I have to say every single person involved with @dcfcofficial did too made me proud to wear this shirt with the boys today!!! Absolute disgrace.. pic.twitter.com/lVsdb1KUpa
      — Colin Kazim-Richards (@ColinKazim) December 5, 2020

      “You know that swearing at a player is normal – you get that at every away ground you go to. But to bring race into it shows what sort of fans some of their fans are.”
      Millwall’s Mahlon Romero blasted his club’s fans for disrespecting him.
      He said: “What they’ve done is booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which was put in place to highlight, combat and stop any discriminatory behaviour and racism. That’s it – that’s all that gesture is.
      “It has offended me and everyone who works for this club – the players and the staff.
      “I’m almost lost for words. I don’t know how they thought that would make me feel. I don’t know what they thought taking a knee stood for.”

      Gabby Agbonlahor revealed he was racially abused by children while warming up as a sub at The DenCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Full Millwall Statement

      MILLWALL Football Club was dismayed and saddened by events which marred Saturday’s game against Derby County at The Den.
      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.
      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.
      The club will not allow their fine work to be in vain.
      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.
      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.
      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.
      Further comment will be made once those meetings and discussions are concluded.

      Hero BLM protester reveals Millwall fan he rescued has not been in touch and he has ‘nothing to say to him’ More

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      Newcastle hero Shaka Hislop reveals vile racist abuse left him ‘scared for his life’ before thugs asked for an AUTOGRAPH

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      FORMER Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop revealed how vile racist abuse left him ‘scared for his life’ – before the thugs asked for an autograph.
      The former Newcastle star, 51, was targeted when filling up his car with petrol outside St James’ Park 25 years ago as teh Toon challenged for the title.

      Shaka Hislop opened up on the time he was racially abused filling his car up with petrolCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He felt ‘frozen with fear’ as the youths hurled the abuse at the 6ft 4ins stopper – and then they realised who he was.
      Hislop said: “When you are in front of it, you are scared, ­genuinely, for your life. No exaggeration.
      “It is such a ­shuddering experience.
      “Then, as they got closer, one recognised who I was, and they started singing my name and wanted ­autographs.”

      The incident had a lasting impact on Hislop, whose Toon side fell away in the second half of the season to miss out on the Premier League title.
      The ex-Reading, West Ham and Portsmouth man, who was born in Hackney, East London but played internationally for Trinidad and Tobago, explained how the experience drove him to join the fight to end racism.
      He has used his profile in football and spent the last 25 years playing his part in eradicating racism and teaching the next generation.
      Hislop partnered with Ged Grebby, now Show Racism The Red Card’s chief executive.

      The charity was set up in January 1996, a month after the petrol station incident, and has now reached one million children.
      The ex-Newcastle goalkeeper added: “I was a black footballer worthy of the most vile racist abuse from 50 yards away, but worthy of having my name sung from 50ft away.
      “I felt the need to do ­something. I understood how highly footballers were regarded about town and how that ­platform could be used to ­challenge the stereotypes and have a discussion about race.
      “It started with school visits. My team-mate John Beresford joined me, and we talked of our experiences and what we had learned ­sharing dressing rooms with people from all over the world.”

      When we got involved in this work, it’s a promise to our children to build a better world. I felt I had failed on my promise.
      Shaka Hislop

      Now living in the United States, Hislop works as a presenter for ESPN and continued: “I have gone through every emotion over the past year.
      “The George Floyd murder hung very heavily. When we got involved in this work, it’s a promise to our children to build a better world. I felt I had failed on my promise.
      “Recently my friend Leroy Rosenior said to me, ‘Shaka, you can’t feel it like that. See this as a relay. We’re ­running the third leg. It is up to us to deliver the baton to our kids in the best position, and give them the courage and confidence to run the final leg.’
      “That was empowering. It shed me of the guilt I was ­feeling. We went into Boston and joined a Black Lives Matter march.
      “You see the youth and diversity of the crowd, and the energy, and that is when I recognised what Leroy was saying.”

      Hislop is now living in the United States where he works as a presenter for ESPN

      Callum Hudson-Odoi calls for ‘massive change in football’ as Chelsea winger talks racism with Paul Canoville More