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Severe punishment set for fan who booed racial equality gesture

Football fans are set to be handed significant punishments, including stadium bans, for booing players who take the knee before fixtures.

One fan is currently being investigated and could become the first football fan in the country to be issued with a permanent stadium ban following an isolated incident during their recent unnamed Championship match.

Sportsmail have reported that two clubs have been trawling through CCTV to identify any supporters who jeered the pre-match gesture in support of racial equality before a recent SkyBet Championship fixture.

The second-tier club have reviewed the footage and read up witness statements to identify one fan who, pending an investigation involving the club’s equality and diversity chief, could become the first supporter in the country to be permanently barred from a stadium for this scenario.

The move comes after Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling pledged a zero-tolerance after their match was also marred by booing when players took the knee.

A minority of the 1,000 in attendance booed when players took the knee before Saturday’s win against Grimsby Town, taking them to 9th in the League Two table.

In a statement released on Monday, Cowling spoke on the importance of players taking the knee and told supporters who can’t keep quiet during the gesture they are ‘not welcome at our club.’

Cowling also added he was happy to refund fans who felt they could no longer attend games because players were taking knee.

He said: “Callum Harriot described the purpose of the gesture perfectly to me explaining that taking the knee dates back to early civil rights movements as a way of silently showing solidarity in support of political inequalities suffered by oppressed communities.

“Those that take the knee want to highlight that all lives should be valued and should not be treated inhumanely or inferior to others just because of their race.

“It is undeniable that black and other ethnic minority people are still the victims of racism, and the black footballers and staff at Colchester United feel that they are in a position of privilege that has been fought for through the blood and sweat of their ancestors.

“A position that in 2020 the average black person is still not afforded.

“Those taking the knee, and supporting the taking of the knee, not only shows their willingness to support the drive to eradicate racial oppression but force it to be a talking point even when it’s uncomfortable.

“Undeniably, taking the knee is a fundamental catalyst in pushing the conversation and thus the necessary changes forward.

“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.

“It would be very disappointing if anyone does decide to boo again. Therefore, going forward I would like to make the actions of those fans who do boo the taking of the knee completely irrelevant.

“For every game where the players choose to take the knee, I would like all of our fans to join me in applauding this gesture to ensure our players know we fully support them.”

Millwall’s fixture with Derby last week was another described to be ‘marred’ by home fans disrespecting players who choose to kneel.

To avoid a potential repeat on Tuesday, Millwall players stood, with defender Mahlon Romeo also raising a fist, while opponents QPR took the knee. the Lions currently sit 17th in the Championship table following the 1-1 draw.

Lions boss Gary Rowett, whose players also stood alongside QPR’s men prior to kick off behind a banner calling for equality, has dismissed suggestions they were pressured into any changes by the club following the fan backlash.

He told The South London Press said: ‘It’s actually quite insulting if people think that is what we’d do.

‘At no point in any of those discussions with anybody would we have tried to influence peoples’ decision-making.

‘It was down to the players. Just like it was down to QPR’s players. I think that’s been the consistent message all the way along.’

Twitter users reacted after seeing that fans are being handed a punishment for booing at players during a recent Millwall fixture – also on Colchester saying that fans who want to boo should stay away…

@TBandsman: Is booing at a football ground banned now then? Or just at particular times? Which branch of the thought police . @ColU_Official decided this was a banning offence? All Colchester fans should back this guys right to protest up and let the club know

@pepelep48542643: All fans should boycott this team whilst they remain racist

@PatWilliams1944: Colchester United FC. Openly supports and promotes A Violent racist far-left hate mob. Sickening shower. To hell with them.

@BenTurn50289898: How the fuck have Colchester United got a diversity & racial equality chief?? This is so wrong.

@Agincourt77: RIP football. Gone are the glory days of real footballer’s of the 60s, 70s, 80s Folded hands

Jason Lee: Just knew that fans would be handed a punishment for booing at players last week

@dannyphilpot: Perhaps the fans should all boycott the games while they are still kneeling it won’t take long for a club like Colchester to go under

@Wilburgiles6: Do they want fans or don’t they?

@neiljohn1807: If people think the Booing is bad now wait till the stadium’s are full because it won’t stop watching these overpaid clowns taking the knee makes me sick

@Paul_Hand: The ‘fan’ was making a non violent. & non verbal statement of their opinion by ‘Booing’. If a BLM supporter was chanting ‘Take to the Streets , F*** the police’ at the game would they have been subject to the same threats as the fan is?

@danatkin73: Absolutely disgusting Colchester United! Banning a fan for a peaceful protest against a anti-white, marxist organisation! Are you lot stupid? It’s also anti-capitalism! Every club will soon realise & the ironic thing is you’ll have no club, no fans, no revenue, nothing!

@Jennyashash: #BoycottThePremierLeague I suggest the fans start walking out of all matches as a protest. I know that’s hard when you’ve paid & were looking forward to it but otherwise these idiotic footballers will continue with their mad Marxism

@PahPhotography: you cant ban someone for booing. Is football facist now? I know there pathetic, they take the knee for blm a terror group, who have caused violence, damaged businesses,property,burned cars even killed a few people…tbh the ppl who knee should be sacked

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