Exeter eject fan for booing players taking a knee as Cambridge criticise supporters for ‘disgraceful’ reaction

Exeter ejected a spectator from the ground after booing was heard when players took a knee before kick-off ahead of their 2-1 loss to Harrogate.

The Grecians released a statement after the game to say that a supporter had been removed from St James Park after booing was audible when players took the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement ahead of the game.

"Exeter City Football Club would like to thank the vast majority of supporters who supported our players when they took the knee as part of tonight's EFL wide campaign," the statement said.

"Unfortunately one supporter was ejected from the stadium and the club will take the appropriate action."

The incident came on the same night as Cambridge United manager Mark Bonner condemned the club’s fans for doing similar ahead of their victory over Colchester United.

READ MORE: Millwall are pandering to fans who want the club to fail in fight against racism

“It’s disgusting to be honest,” Bonner said. “It shines a light on our club for all the wrong reasons. What was a really good night for us on the pitch was overshadowed by a real small minority that decide to boo in a moment when we’re reflecting the values that everyone at our club believes in – inequality, racism, all these things that need kicking out of society.

“It’s just behaviour that’s unacceptable in our club. We don’t want that at all. What’s most encouraging is the vast majority drowned them out quite quickly with an applause and reflected the values of our club much better. We work incredibly hard in the community to highlight all these issues and we’ve clearly got some work to do because some people have embarrassed our club tonight and embarrassed themselves a little bit.”

The incidents come little more than a week after fans at Millwall and Colchester booed players taking a knee in an anti-racism gesture. Millwall said they were “dismayed and saddened” by the response ahead of the match with Derby on 5 December, and have since stopped taking the knee in order to display a different anti-racism message before kick-off.

Colchester owner Robbie Cowling meanwhile said fans who want to book the anti-racism gesture are not welcome at his club after they booed the players ahead of the match with Grimsby Town on the same day, although the latest incident on Tuesday night came in front of Cambridge fans at the Abbey Stadium.

After Jack Iredale's overhit cross clipped the top of the crossbar, Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken ensured his team went in level at half-time. He tipped Idris El Mizouni's free-kick over just before the break and, from the resulting corner, made a superb save to keep out Harry Darling's header.

Gerken was left helpless when Cambridge broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Luke Hannant's free-kick was headed home by Paul Mullin. Mullin's second of the night, his 18th goal of the season, came 15 minutes later as he tapped in an effort from strike partner Harvey Knibbs which was heading wide. The visitors reduced the deficit only three minutes after as substitute Folivi converted from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Darling.

Exeter’s night to forget was compounded by defeat against Harrogate, with the away side’s manager Simon Weaver praising his side after they upset the form book.

Brendan Kiernan and Jack Muldoon capitalised on sloppy Exeter defending to seal a first win in five games for the men from North Yorkshire, after Jake Taylor had brought Exeter level immediately after half-time.

"We had to be gritty tonight. I thought we were organised right from early on and stifled them," Weaver said.

"We have seen a lot of coverage where they have bagged six goals against Colchester and five against Tranmere and we knew if we were flaky, they would take advantage.

"If we didn't defend their crosses they would take advantage, in one-on-one situations they would clearly take advantage.

"Tonight, both of their wide men - very dangerous players - got taken off and they had to go a bit more direct later on to try and penetrate.

"We have tried to do things right, we came yesterday and had a nice night's sleep and a full day waiting today. But it felt like the energy was back."

Weaver, who handed a second-half debut to substitute Edward Francis after the defender signed following his release from Wolves in the summer, added:

"Everyone knows the relentless nature of this game and perhaps injuries are taking their toll.

"But the culture of this club is that everyone is in it together and we certainly had to be tonight. There was a real edge to our performance tonight."

PA