Football Association launch investigation into Millwall and Colchester fans booing players taking a knee

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The Football Association have launched investigations after supporters booed players taking a knee at Colchester United and Millwall last weekend.

Some supporters at The Den and JobServe Community Stadium booed players before kick-off as they took a knee to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Players have been doing so since football return from lockdown in June, but this was the first time they had done so with fans present.

Some supporters at Millwall v Derby and Colchester United v Grimsby Town booed the gesture and the FA have now launched investigations into the incidents.

A statement on Monday 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.”

Millwall supporters claim the boos were politically and not racially motivated – but they have been roundly criticised for their actions, with the club stating it was “dismayed and saddened by events which marred Saturday’s game.”

The club’s official supporters club issued a statement saying: “We fervently believe that the motives of those behind the booing were not racist. However, at a time of heightened awareness and with the country watching, the choice of those individuals was always going to damage their club and be perceived by the media as racist.

“Anyone who believes it was a racist act, should read the views of those who booed and see they were doing it in reaction to the war memorials and statues of Churchill defaced by the BLM organisation and the extreme political views they hold, and for which ‘taking the knee’ is associated with.”

Millwall chiefs were meeting on Monday to discuss what action is to be taken.

Colchester United owner Robbie Cowling, meanwhile, has told fans who boo players taking the knee that they are not welcome at the club.

Cowling has encouraged Colchester fans to applaud the gesture going forward and offered to refund any season ticket holder who no longer feels welcome to attend the games because of the booing.

In a statement, Cowling said: “I’m sure the vast majority of Colchester United fans are supportive and want to play their part in showing they back the actions of our players.

“Maybe those that booed on Saturday might now understand what this gesture means to our club and will at the very least remain silent during future games whilst the players continue to take the knee before each kick-off.

“Alternatively, they should just stay away from our club because anyone that still wants to boo now that I have explained the purpose and importance of the taking of the knee is not welcome at our club.

“I will be happy to refund anyone for the remaining value of their season permit if that is the reason they feel they can no longer attend our games.”

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