Millwall players to stand ‘arm-in-arm’ with QPR in ‘fight against discrimination’ after fans booed kneeling gesture

Millwall have said that their players will stand arm-in-arm with Queens Park Rangers’ ahead of the teams’ Championship meeting at The Den on Tuesday night “in a show of solidarity for football’s fight against discrimination.”

A number of Millwall supporters booed as their players took a knee ahead of last weekend’s match against Derby, leading the club to release a statement expressing that they were “saddened and dismayed” by the behaviour of their fans.

Players have been kneeling at kick-off since football returned after a coronavirus-enforced break earlier this year, adopting the gesture that is largely associated with movements seeking to combat racism. 

QPR opted out of the gesture earlier this season after director of football Les Ferdinand claimed the action had become “diluted”, but on Sunday it was announced that they would reverse that decision for the Millwall fixture.

A statement released by Millwall on Tuesday night read: “Players from Millwall and Queens Park Rangers will stand arm-in-arm with each other in a show of solidarity for football’s fight against discrimination ahead of kick-off at The Den on Tuesday night.

READ MORE: Millwall fans boo players taking knee

“The two teams will hold aloft a banner to show their collective commitment towards ongoing efforts to rid the game of racism in a positive move which has been supported by Kick It Out, Show Racism The Red Card, The PFA, The FA and The EFL following discussions with the club in recent days.

“Millwall believe that this gesture, which the club hopes to repeat with other visiting teams in the coming weeks and months, will help to unify people throughout society in the battle to root out all forms of discrimination.

“Kick It Out’s logo will also replace that of principal partner Huski Chocolate on the front of Millwall’s shirts for the London derby.

“QPR have informed Millwall that a selection of their players wish to take the knee as a way of showing their support for anti-discrimination efforts – a gesture which the club respects and it firmly asks all those in attendance to do likewise.

“Millwall have a zero-tolerance policy against racial and all other forms of discrimination and want to again make clear to anybody who holds such views that you are not welcome at this football club. Millwall’s stance, as always, is that anybody found guilty of racial abuse is banned for life.

“Moving forward, the club and its Community Trust have started the first-ever audit of Board members, staff, volunteers and participants as part of an ongoing commitment towards equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of operations.

 “An internal survey has been sent to all appropriate stakeholders and its findings will allow the club to set necessary benchmarks as part of a new widespread and multi-faceted anti-discrimination strategy. Includedwithin that will be the formation of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Code of Practice to cover departments throughout the club’s activities and recruitment processes.

“On top of a push towards ensuring the entire Millwall workforce is fully representative of its diverse local community, the Trust will continue their outstanding and industry-leading work around anti-discrimination within the Boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham and, most importantly, further afield. This will still include programmes and projects within primary and secondary schools and colleges as education, the club believes, is the most important driver in ridding society of discrimination of all kinds.”

Following his side’s 1-0 away victory over Millwall last weekend, stand-in Derby coach Wayne Rooney labelled the home fans’ behaviour “disgraceful and mindless”.