Jackett won't let racism row spoil Millwall's 'big chance'

 
p71 edition 15/02 BROMLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Millwall manager Kenny Jackett and Danny Shittu of Millwall pose with the FA Cup during the Millwall Press Conference at Millwall Football Club Training ground on February 14, 2013 in Bromley, England.
Giuseppe Muro15 February 2013

Kenny Jackett is confident that allegations of racist abuse aimed at El-Hadji Diouf will not distract his players ahead of Millwall’s FA Cup tie against Luton.

Television footage earlier this week appeared to show Millwall supporters abusing Diouf during a Championship game against Leeds at The Den in November. A 53-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday and the Sky Sports News report has overshadowed the build-up to tomorrow’s fifth-round tie at Kenilworth Road.

The Millwall boss said: “Are there any worries about it being a distraction for the players? None whatsoever. From the club’s point of view, I can only reiterate that we do want to stamp this out.

“The players have reacted well to what has happened. It will not stop us because we have a big game that we want to focus on winning.”

The man arrested has been released on police bail and is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on February 27. Television footage appears to show Diouf talking to referee Mark Halsey and complaining to a steward but he did not make a complaint when questioned by Millwall. The Lions say they will reopen an investigation into the allegations and promise to ban any individuals for life if they are found guilty.

Jackett added: “We work very hard as a club to eradicate racism out of football and improving awareness in society. We don’t condone racism. But you are not talking about a majority.”

Millwall captain Danny Shittu has revealed that he plans to hold talks with Diouf about the allegations. Shittu gave Diouf a lift home after the game and says the Leeds striker did not mention any abuse to him. The Football Association have contacted Leeds to ask for Diouf’s version of events and Shittu will also hold discussions with him.

Shittu said: “I will be talking to him over the next few days. After the game we were just talking about football. I think the character that Diouf is, he tries not to let things bother him.

“As captain, it was disappointing because I have seen the hard work Millwall do to try to eradicate this. It is a minority who are doing these things. But a minority is still too much.”

Jackett has called for focus from his players and knows Millwall have a great chance of getting to the FA Cup quarter- finals for the first time since they reached the final in 2004.

Conference side Luton beat Norwich away in the last round but Jackett said: “Luton have done very well so we mustn’t underestimate them.” He is without cup-tied Benik Afobe and Martyn Woolford but has no fresh injury concerns after defeat at Blackpool.

Fans without tickets have been warned not to travel to the match and Bedfordshire Police are preparing a “large and very visible” operation for the game, a re-run of an FA Cup clash which was marred by rioting in 1985.

Trouble during and after that quarter-final tie led to a four-year ban on away fans at Kenilworth Road. Tomorrow, fans will be policed by officers from Beds, Herts, Cambs and Thames Valley, supported by British Transport Police, at the sell-out tie.

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