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      Norwich star Teemu Pukki commits himself to shooting club back into the Premier League and vows: I’m going nowhere

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      TEEMU PUKKI has given every Norwich fan an early Christmas present.
      The striker promises he is committed to shooting the club back into the Premier League and is going nowhere next month.

      Norwich ace Teemu Pukki lifts aloft the Championship trophy last yearCredit: PRESS ASSOCIATION

      Pukki won the Golden Boot for his 29 goals during Norwich’s 2018-19 seasonCredit: REX FEATURES

      Pukki, 30, will attract a lot of suitors in the January transfer window.
      But he told SunSport: “I’ve no plans for leaving in January. I’m fighting for this team and we’ve got a big season going on.
      “I want to go back into the Premier League and I’m fighting for that.”
      The striker is set to make his 100th appearance when the Canaries travel to Blackburn today – having scored 48 goals and made 14 assists in his 99 games so far.

      Pukki is modest for a footballer generating so much love.
      The striker won legendary status at Carrow Road after shooting them into the Premier League in his first season with a staggering 29 goals after signing on a free from Brondby.
      And he then secured himself as a national treasure in Finland by firing them into next summer’s rearranged Euros, the first time they have qualified for a major tournament.
      His status was illustrated last year when his country’s then Prime Minister Antti Rinne took a special gift to Paris for French president Emmanuel Macron – a Teemu Pukki shirt.

      The striker told me: “It was a bit weird seeing that happen. I didn’t know how to react and it’s hard to say what I thought about that. I hope President Macron likes the shirt.”

      Even French President Emmanuel Macron owns a Teemu Pukki t-shirtCredit: Antti Rinne/Twitter

      Pukki and fans celebrate as Finland qualify for their first-ever tournament Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
      Ironically, reigning World Cup champions France were this week drawn in the same qualifying group for the 2022 tourneament in Qatar.
      Pukki’s season with the Canaries in the top flight was a tale of two halves.
      In the first part – up until January – he had thumped 11 goals in the top flight, not a bad effort for a club that were bottom for most of it.
      But after scoring at Tottenham in a 2-1 defeat, he failed to net again – and, after lockdown, Norwich finished bottom with a whimper as they lost all eight games.
      It was a shame because at one stage Norwich, despite their lowly position, were playing great football – prompting pundit Danny Murphy to describe them as the “best ever bottom-of-the-table team”.
      So why did Pukki’s form tail off?
      He said: “There were a lot of things. As a team we didn’t create the same amount of chances and, personally, my confidence levels were down after not scoring after so many games.
      “Up until January-February time, we were playing good football – but just couldn’t get the points. Whenever we went behind, we just couldn’t turn the games around.

      As a team we didn’t create the same amount of chances and, personally, my confidence levels were down
      Teemu Pukki

      “After the corona break, we didn’t score as many goals. It was a tough time, personally and as a team. We weren’t able to raise our level at the end of the season.
      “We couldn’t compete in the end at that level – because in the Premier League mistakes made are exploited because there is more quality.”
      Now, back in the Championship, the Canaries are flying at the top of the table without really flapping their wings.
      The Norfolk club have managed to churn out results with an injury-hit squad – thanks mostly to a more solid defence.

      Teemu Pukki celebrates one of his 11 Premier League goals, against ArsenalCredit: EPA
      Pukki said: “For sure, I don’t think we’ve shown our best yet. In some moments we have. There have been some tough games where we’ve got the winner in the end.
      “We’ve been having a lot of injuries. Hopefully we’ll get our boys back soon.
      “Our defenders have been brilliant, the keeper as well. If you compare this season to the one when we went up, we conceded a lot of goals but were scoring a lot of goals as well.
      “This time we’ve had a lot of 1-0 victories. If you want to compete at this level you need to be secure at the back. That’s been working well.”

      Daniel Farke is known for being a hard taskmasker. His training regime is one of the toughest in English football and the team’s superior fitness levels have played dividends with the amount of late goals they have scored this season.
      Nine of their 23 netted have come in the last 10 minutes to either win matches or snatch a point.
      Pukki said: “That’s something we’ve been good at. We’ve done a lot of work and have the fitness levels to turn the games in the end.
      “That is something we keep working at every week. We can go 90 minutes and turn the games.”
      With the Canaries finishing rock bottom by some distance, the board could have been justified to sack their German coach but decided to stay loyal.
      And the Finnish ace said: “Since the first moment I came here I felt he was a good manager.

      Pukki celebrates scoring at Stoke and is on form again after a tough 2020Credit: REX FEATURES
      “He got us playing good football. It has been a tough year for all of us. The club wanted to believe he can change things around and that is what we are showing.
      “It’s still a lot of work but we’re going in the right direction.”
      Pukki’s is looking forward to what he hopes is a huge 2021 – leading Norwich back into the top-flight and then featuring for Finland in the Euros.
      He said: “We had some hard times with the national team where we didn’t win a single game in one year but in the last couple of years it’s been great for Finnish football.
      “We’ve had many players in the European leagues and whenever we get together we’re quite a competitive team. I’m proud of what we’ve done for the Finnish national team and it is every footballer’s dream back home to appear in a major tournament.”

      CROCK-ODILE TEARS FOR NORWICH

      IT’S been a challenge to socially-distance everyone needing treatment in the Norwich medical room this season.Up until today’s trip to Blackburn, they have had a staggering SIXTEEN players who have missed matches through injuries.Here’s their tale of the crocks.
      Tim Krul (thigh)
      Sam Byram (hamstring)
      Jordan Hugill (shoulder)
      Kieran Dowell (ankle)
      Todd Cantwell (hip)
      Xavi Quintilla (hip)
      Kenny McLean (knee)
      Adam Idah (knee)
      Onel Hernandez (adductor)
      Ben Gibson (calf)
      Christoph Zimmermann (calf)
      Przemyslaw Placheta (hamstring)
      Grant Hanley (hamstring)
      Marco Stiepermann (back)
      Bali Mumba (knee)
      Teemu Pukki (hamstring)

      Norwich have taken advantage of Pukki’s status in Finland by forging a number of commercial partnership in the Scandinavian country.
      The club have deals in place with plastic-free-cups firm Kotka Mills, travel company Dr. Oetker Suom and Pyynikin Brewery – as well as sell plenty of Pukki merchandise that sells in his homeland almost as fast a Finnish vodka.
      But surely Norwich are missing a trick in their partnership with British firm Pukka Pies.
      A hearty Pukki Pie has a really nice ring to it.
      The Finnish ace laughed: “I’ve never tried a pie.”
      You really should, Teemu. Get Delia Smith to bake you one.

      The Finnish star celebrates with Norwich fans after clinching promotionCredit: GETTY

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

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      Watford boss Ivic idolised England hero Lineker as a kid in Serbia, his extra motivation to be on Match of the Day

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      VLADIMIR IVIC would not be involved in football today had it not been for Gary Lineker.
      The Watford boss revealed to SunSport that watching the England legend while growing up in Serbia sparked his love affair with the game.

      Vladimir Ivic took over Watford in August with the target to win promotionCredit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

      Gary Lineker was Watford boss Vladimir Ivic’s idol while growing upCredit: EMPICS

      Ivic, 43, now hopes the 1986 World Cup golden boot winner will be interviewing him on Match of the Day next season as he plots a quick return to the Premier League.
      Asked which player made him fall in love with football, the Serb said: “It was Gary Lineker.
      “It was for his goalscoring. I followed English football like lots of kids and he was the top scorer.
      “I remember watching him in the 1986 World Cup.

      “He was one of the greatest players and strikers in his age – and I didn’t even know before coming here that he was now presenting Match of the Day.”

      Ivic arrived at Vicarage Road in August and has done a good job so far with the relegated Hornets, who sit third ahead of their trip to Birmingham today.
      In fact, all teams that came down from the Premier League currently occupy the top three spots with Norwich in pole position and Bournemouth second – this rarely happens.
      But Ivic said: “All three teams have quality players and you must remember in Daniel Farke at Norwich and Jason Tindall at Bournemouth you have two coaches who had worked with their players last season.

      “After 17 matches, we don’t see much difference in the quality between the other teams.
      “But sometimes the mood of the other sides can be more important than the quality of yours if you don’t give 100 per cent.
      “This is something we work on and try to give the maximum every game.”

      Vladimir Ivic won November’s SkyBet Championship manager of the month
      So how did Ivic go about taking over a team used to losing, suffering the trauma of relegation and turn them quickly into winners?
      Ivic said: “This is a good question because it’s a different approach from previous years.
      “The last six months before I arrived, the target was to survive and stay in the Premier League.
      “They played completely different to how we want to play now.
      “We’re trying to transform a side that played on the counter to one that wants to be dominant and attack. This is something we’ve worked a lot on and to do that you need to change the mentality.
      “Sometimes we don’t succeed and have a deficit in games. We should be seven or eight points better off.”
      Ivic knows full well that FOURTEEN different permanent managers have been at Watford in just 10 years.
      The Serb was successful in Greece with PAOK and Israel at Maccabi Tel Aviv – but knows it is a different ball game in England.
      He said: “The change of coaches is the decision for the club.
      “All the people who come into this job come to put in their maximum. Everyone wants to succeed.

      We’re trying to transform a side that played on the counter to one that wants to be dominant and attack.
      Vladimir Ivic

      “It depends on the mood of the team and of how you’ll adapt fast to the conditions you find yourself in to get results.
      “Your glass can only be half full because you never know how long you will stay somewhere. It’s our lives and it’s not easy when you have family coming with you too.
      “My wife and two daughters, one aged six and the other nine, were with me in Israel for two years and now here with me too.
      “It’s a nice job. I decided to do this because I love it.”
      Ivic is one of two Serbians flying high in the Championship with Reading sitting fifth under his former national team-mate Veljko Paunovic.

      Ivic has had to change the mentality of the Watford players this seasonCredit: PRESS ASSOCIATION
      He said: “It’s important for a country like Serbia to have two coaches in the Championship. He’s a great coach and now shows here he’s on a top level.”
      Ivic is not known for smiling much or cracking jokes – and looks like a guy you would not want to get on the wrong side of.
      But the Serb insists that public perception of him is wrong.
      He said: “My family, wife, two daughters and friends make me smile.
      “It’s been hard to make new friends because during the period I’ve been here we’ve had to follow government instructions to stay at home so not been able to socialise much.
      “I like to laugh privately at lot and I’d like to at work too. But I prefer to wait until the end of the season when hopefully we’ll have good reason to laugh.”

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

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      FA probe Millwall and Colchester crowd boos at weekend after fans marred return to stadiums

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      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 More

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      Deeney vows to walk off pitch if he is racially abused and is not ‘shocked’ by Millwall fans booing players taking knee

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      WATFORD striker Troy Deeney has vowed to walk off the pitch if he is ever racially abused.
      The 32-year-old’s comments came after a large section of Millwall fans booed their own players for taking a knee before their 1-0 defeat to Derby at the Den on Saturday.

      Troy Deeney says he will walk off the pitch if he is ever racially abusedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Millwall welcomed 2,000 fans to watch their team for the first time this season but the occasion was overshadowed by the despicable booing.
      Footballers continue to use the gesture before games to highlight the ongoing fight to eradicate racial discrimination in society but a significant amount of the South London club’s supporters were clearly not happy.
      Millwall condemned the fans after the incident and SunSport columnist Deeney said on TalkSPORT: “When they boo, I’ll still be there.
      “But if it gets to that line of racial things being said to me or my players, we’ve already had a conversation about what happens. We walk, simple.

      “We’re not here to be racially abused, we’re here to play football and entertain.
      “There’s a lot of things you can call me. You can call me a big head and say I’ve got teeth like a shark but if you racially abuse me, I’m not going to stand there and take it.
      “If I turn around and get physical with that person, I get in trouble and the club gets in trouble, so the only thing I can do in that moment is report it and leave.
      “That’s all I can do, so that’s what we will do.”

      The Watford striker was speaking after a large section of Millwall fans booed their own players for taking a kneeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Derby interim boss Wayne Rooney labelled the Millwall fans who booed ‘disgraceful’ after the game.
      And Lions star Mahlon Romeo also expressed his dismay at the situation saying he was ‘offended’ and ‘lost for words’.
      But experienced centre-forward Deeney was relatively unsurprised to see another incident of that nature at the Den.
      He added: “I’m not massively shocked.
      “I don’t want to put this on all the Millwall fans or the club. There’s a certain amount of people who found a reason to boo, which I don’t really want to get into because I think we’re giving them too much energy.
      “It shows that those advocating for equality must keep going. This is the reason why.
      “In the Premier League meeting, we said it has to be done when fans are back, because it’s easy to take the knee when no-one’s there.
      “It’s easy to put the badge on when there’s no-one there. When fans are there, it sparks conversation, rightly or wrongly.”
      Some sections have tried to link the kneeling with the Black Lives Matter political movement despite the Premier League’s previous statement clarifying the two are not linked.
      ‘NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS’
      And Deeney – who earlier this year revealed social media giants told him ‘black c***’ was not hate speech – said: “The Premier League issued a statement saying it has nothing to do with politics.
      “People are saying it’s all about the Black Lives Matter movement, but it’s nothing to do with that.
      “I want to make it clear, it’s not all Millwall fans. But they’ve got black players playing for them.
      “If the right-back Romeo scored, would they want that goal chalked off?
      “It’s so frustrating to read some of the stuff that’s coming in here. It’s mind-boggling and stupid the way that people think.
      “I don’t like calling people names, but it’s stupid the way they go on like this.”
      ‘IT HAS OFFENDED ME’
      After Saturday’s loss, Millwall defender Romeo – who has played for the Lions since 2015 – said: “Today’s game, to me now, has become irrelevant.
      “The fans have been let back in – which the whole team was looking forward to. But in society there is a problem – and that problem is racism.
      “The fans who have been let in today have personally disrespected not just me but the football club. And what the football club and the community stand for.
      “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.
      “And the fans have chosen to boo that, which for the life of me I can’t understand. It has offended me and everyone who works for this club – the players and the staff.”

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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.

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      Wayne Rooney slams ‘disgraceful’ Millwall fans for booing kneeling stars as Mahlon Romeo admits to feeling ‘really low’

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      WAYNE ROONEY has slammed the ‘disgraceful and mindless behaviour’ of a number of Millwall fans during yesterday’s clash with Derby County.
      The Rams boss oversaw his first victory as interim manager – but the triumph was overshadowed by a section of Lions supporters booing their own players taking a knee.

      Wayne Rooney expressed his disappointment at the scenesCredit: Alamy Live News

      Certain fans booed as players and officials took a kneeCredit: Alamy Live News

      The occasion marked the first time that Lions fans had been able to attend a home fixture since the coronavirus pandemic struck the UK in March.
      But what was supposed to be a joyous occasion was turned sour by the actions of some of his side’s returning supporters.
      Players in England’s top leagues have been taking a knee since football’s resumption in June, in order to protest against worldwide racial discrimination.
      Rooney, 35, expressed his disappointment at the scenes in an interview with talkSPORT after the match.

      And he continued that sentiment with a statement posted to social media on Sunday.
      It 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.

      Derby star Colin Kazim-Richards raised his right fist in protestCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “The professionalism of the players on both sides throughout the game was a credit to our profession, after such an incident.
      “On behalf of Derby County Football Club I want it to be clear to everyone associated with the club that we represent all sectors of the community regardless of colour, gender or sexuality.
      “Fans being allowed back in to stadiums is vital for the wellbeing of everybody involved in our sport from fans to players to chairmen to owners.
      “It is therefore really important that the vast majority of us show respect and support each other and do not tolerate or accept the actions of the mindless few.”
      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.
      Millwall star Mahlon Romeo has admitted that he was ‘almost lost for words’ when a section of his own club’s supporters chose to boo players taking a knee prior to yesterday’s match.
      After the loss the defender, who has played for the Lions since 2015, told the South London Press: “Today’s game, to me now, has become irrelevant.
      “The fans have been let back in – which the whole team was looking forward to. But in society there is a problem – and that problem is racism.

      Mahlon Romeo has played for Millwall since 2015Credit: Rex Features

      Home boss Gary Rowett felt that his supporters’ actions overshadowed the occasion of fans returningCredit: PA:Press Association
      “The fans who have been let in today have personally disrespected not just me but the football club. And what the football club and the community stand for.
      “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.
      “And the fans have chosen to boo that, which for the life of me I can’t understand. It has offended me and everyone who works for this club – the players and the staff.
      “I’m speaking on behalf of myself here – not any of the other players – I want to make that very clear. This is the first time I feel disrespected.
      “Because you have booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which – and it needs repeating – was put in place to highlight, combat and tackle any discriminatory behaviour and racism in general.”
      Romeo, 25, also accused those booing of ‘spreading hatred’ with their actions.

      But if we’re being realistic it made me feel very small and it made me feel personally disrespected
      Mahlon Romeo

      He continued: “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.
      “But I think I’ve explained it simply enough. I feel really low – probably the lowest I’ve felt in my time at this club.
      “It’s something I can’t wrap my head around. People will have their beliefs and views, which everyone is entitled to. I’m not trying to stop or contain – but if your beliefs and views oppose a positive change in society then don’t come to a football ground and spread them around.
      “If it’s negative, don’t think you can come to a football ground and this is the place where you can spread hatred essentially.
      “When fans are booing a peaceful gesture to highlight racism, it naturally makes you ask yourself ‘why am I putting myself through this?’.
      “I’m sure not all Millwall fans share the same opinion – it’s a small collection. But if we’re being realistic it made me feel very small and it made me feel personally disrespected.”
      Home manager Gary Rowett was also frustrated, with the return of supporters having been overshadowed.

      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
      Gary Rowett

      He said: “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.
      “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.”
      “Is it (taking a knee) a political message, is it an anti-discrimination message? The players have come out and said they don’t support the political aspect, but they do support the anti-discrimination aspect of it and of course we all do.”
      On Sunday morning, Millwall released a statement condemning the actions of their supporters, and announcing their intentions to meet with Kick It Out officials over the coming days ‘in an attempt to use Saturday’s events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions.’

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      Max Aarons hugs Norwich fan forcing EFL chiefs to launch Covid probe after breach of regulations

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      EFL chiefs launched a Covid probe after Norwich scorer Max Aarons hugged a fan at Carrow Road.
      Match-winner Aarons grabbed the Canaries supporter — breaching coronavirus regulations — after completing their 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

      Max Aarons celebrated with a Norwich fan after scoring the winnerCredit: Getty Images

      EFL chiefs have launched a probe after coronavirus regulations were breachedCredit: Rex Features

      An EFL spokesman said: “Every club was told about the importance of following Covid regulations and we need to get to the bottom of this very quickly.
      “We will expect a full explanation from Norwich and the players involved.”
      All clubs were made aware of the requirement to follow coronavirus regulations as a condition of being allowed to restart football in the summer.
      Those rules were reinforced ahead of the return of fans to stadiums and Championship leaders Norwich were allowed 2,000 into Carrow Road for the first time since March.

      Aarons’ hug may be a breach of the Sports Ground Safety Authority rules which all professional clubs are mandated to follow.
      Fans returned to football stadiums earlier this week for the first time since March.
      Wednesday saw Charlton, Wycombe and Carlisle all welcome 2,000 supporters for the first time since March.

      Norwich beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in the ChampionshipCredit: Press Association

      Arsenal were the first Premier League team to host supporters since lockdown when they played Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.

      And Saturday saw Prem games played in front of fans with the likes of West Ham and Chelsea opening turnstiles.
      But Championship action was marred by Millwall supporters booing their own players while they took a knee.

      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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      Watch angry Boro boss Neil Warnock claim Stoke’s dressing room was a ‘pig sty’ and ‘even pigs would’ve run away’

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      FURIOUS Neil Warnock branded Stoke a ‘disgrace’ for making his team change in a ‘pig sty’.
      The Middlesbrough boss was angry after claiming his side were given a portable cabin with blocked toilets, leaky showers, no heating and fumes coming in.

      Veteran manager Neil Warnock went the full hog with his criticism of the portable cabin Middlesbrough were given at the bet365 stadiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Neil Warnock saw his Boro side fail to bring home the bacon after being handed what he called pig-like changing facilitiesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Nathan Collins’ first half header earned Stoke the points to move them up to fifth.
      But Warnock’s fireworks started at the final whistle when he confronted ref Jeremy Simpson – and had to be separated by club security guards.
      Then he unleashed an extraordinary rant as he turned the spotlight on ‘out of order’ Stoke.
      Warnock blasted: “We got changed in a pig sty – and the pigs would’ve run away if they’d been there.

      “You can’t tell me that was social distancing, we’re so close together in a Portakabin, surely we’d be better in a dressing room.
      “We give them everything at Middlesbrough, heat, it’s lovely.
      “Our toilets didn’t work, they’re blocked.
      “There were fumes coming in, we had to get security out, the maintenance.

      That was a bloody disgrace… there’s water all over the floor… There’s no way they’ll get a dressing room when they come to our place.
      Boro boss Neil Warnock

      “We had to ask why there were fumes and why they didn’t look at it before we arrived.
      “I can’t blame the result on this, but we took some pictures.
      “That was a bloody disgrace, the showers are leaking, there’s water all over the floor.
      “I didn’t want to say anything before the game because we didn’t want to make excuses.
      “There’s no way they’ll get a dressing room when they come to our place.
      “I hope our chairman…. I’ll hire a Portakabin for them if they want.
      “And I’ll chuck some water on the floor.
      “My dressing room was another Portakabin, 20 yards down the road, water all over the floor. It was freezing.
      “It’s out of order, I know we’ve all got a Pandemic, but when you look at the facilities we give teams I’m sure Stoke, from the Premier League, can do better than that.”

      Nathan Collins celebrates a winner that was not to be snorted at because it lifted Stoke up to fifth place in the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association
      Warnock then explained his post-match tirade at the officials.
      He added: “You’re not allowed to go into the dressing room now, with social distancing.
      ” I think it’s better going on to the pitch and talk to them than waiting for them in the tunnel with security guards.
      “I think you get more answers, he thanked me for being so responsible.
      “There were one or two things I wanted to ask him.
      “Why did he book Bola, and the keeper, yet he said he warned him four times.”

      I wasn’t bothered about the physical things. I think their bench was more interested in talking to the officials than us.
      Stoke chief Michael O’Neill

      But the game ended with Stoke losing THREE players injured in a physical clash – skipper Sam Clucas came off after seven minutes and was joined by Danny Batth and Nick Powell.
      Warnock agreed it was a bruising game but said:  “Yes, if you were a poor old Middlesbrough player.
      “Early on there should have been more yellow cards issued and it became a bit of a free for all. We’re not as good as Stoke at that.”
      Stoke boss Michael O’Neill was already without seven players and said: “There were three players we had to make substitutions for through challenges, but it was a competitive game.

      “I’ve not seen the challenges back, you always feel at the time they might be borderline.
      “We just came out the wrong side of it.
      “I wasn’t bothered about the physical things, I think their bench was more interested in talking to the officials than us.”

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