The EFL have chosen to issue a statement ahead of what Millwall and QPR plan to do prior to kick off in the Championship on Tuesday.
Reports state that the Lions plan to stand arm-in-arm against Queens Park Rangers after boos from home fans before the Derby game, with the Rams winning it and taking them off bottom of the Championship table.
Both sets of players will show of solidarity against discrimination before Tuesday’s game at the Den.
Millwall fans boo as players take the knee.
Loud booing could be heard when players from both teams took the knee in support of #BlackLivesMatter movement before kick off, with at least one supporter heard shouting “get up!”
More on this story: https://t.co/SCap9JiTnz pic.twitter.com/Ybvl8K8inf
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 5, 2020
An EFL statement released prior the Millwall QPR game said: “The EFL welcomes the positive, proactive approach to be taken by Millwall and Queens Park Rangers players ahead of tonight’s Championship fixture as both set of squads continue to raise awareness of inequality and discrimination facing society.
“Our position remains unchanged and we will continue to support the wishes of our clubs’ players either on an individual or collective basis. We will facilitate the communication of the message that discrimination in any form is unacceptable and not welcome within our game or our communities – Not Today or Any Day.
“EFL players who have chosen to ‘take the knee’ before games or participate in similar types of initiatives are using their platform in front of millions across the world to make a statement about eradicating all types of prejudiced behaviour, encouraging attitudinal changes and creating unity.
“Players often receive widespread criticism and negativity for merely doing their jobs but here they are leading the way, trying to effect positive change and they should be applauded for taking a stand, showing solidarity and setting an example for others to follow.
“Football needs to support its players and we will.”
Millwall and QPR have both issued statements ahead of tomorrow’s Championship match at The Den.
Some of the Lions fans booed on Saturday when players from the SE16 outfit and Derby’s “took the knee” before the game started.
Millwall will have 2,000 supporters in attendance again after the government eased restrictions on attending football matches.
#Millwall have released the following club statement
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) December 6, 2020
Millwall said before EFL issue a statement ahead of the game with QPR: “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.
“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. Included within 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.”
📝 Ahead of Tuesday night’s @SkyBetChamp fixture against Millwall, #QPR have issued the following statement.
— QPR FC (@QPR) December 7, 2020
QPR chief executive Lee Hoos said: “We have always been at the forefront of encouraging equality and diversity while tackling discrimination in all its forms.
“Our initial approach to this particular situation was for all our players to take the knee in a show of solidarity.
“However, following a series of discussions with Millwall, as well as internal conversations involving myself, director of football Les Ferdinand, manager Mark Warburton and the entire first-team squad, it was agreed that standing shoulder to shoulder with our opposition players would be a more powerful response.
“On top of this, some of our players wish to take the knee and we fully support this action.
“As I said in September on this subject, each individual needs to be free to make their own decision on how to express intolerance for social injustice, without fear of being negatively judged.”
Fans reacted as EFL issue a statement ahead of what Millwall and QPR plan to do prior to kick off…
They decided to march way back when & were battered by police for ‘disturbing the peace’. They then decided to talk to politicians & were told to be quiet as nothing could change. So they took to the streets to complain & were told they were thugs. (1)
— Tony White (@TonySouthMouth) December 6, 2020
Do you ‘take the knee’ each day when you arrive at work ? Do they ‘take the knee’ in the house of commons ? Have you any idea what Millwall as a football club have done to speak out and act against racism ? The booing was not aimed at any group or person.
— Corky (@CorkyBottle) December 6, 2020
Defund the police so other areas so others parts of society have funding on an even scale. You forgot to mention that last part. The police have more funding than anyone and less accountability. This way, they now have to share the wealth and improve their institutional racism.
— Tony White (@TonySouthMouth) December 6, 2020
Just take the knee. Massively overcomplicating a simple stand against those fans at the Millwall game. This will be seen as a win for them.
Big respect to the players who take the knee tomorrow. Everyone else might as well not bother.— Lenny Reid (@Lenny_Reid) December 7, 2020
@qpr – same applies to you. Really hope all the players take the knee.
— Karen Lynn BlackLivesMatter (@titchlynn) December 7, 2020
Why? Are people meant to take a knee for for rest of eternity. When does it end? I understand there is equality problems in the world but honestly this might not be solved for 100 years because humans are still mostly intolerant and cruel. Let people fight it how they wish
— Goo (@Skellionz) December 7, 2020
No the kneeling lost
— 🌚 (@Four2two2) December 7, 2020
No football fan ever had an issue with Kick it Out or Show Racism The Red Card. They want to make this about racism but it’s not. It’s about BLM and the trouble they have caused in the world.
— Ross (@roskorfc) December 7, 2020
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