Fans were left surprised on Monday afternoon after finding out that Millwall will look to block Sky Sports coverage of an upcoming game.
Sky Sports are planning to broadcast coverage of the Lions’ game against Watford on the 29th of December, however those plans for the media company is at risk, reports journalist Matt Slater.
It was reported on Monday morning that Millwall were looking to block the broadcaster from showing the game at The Den.
The Athletic has been told that the English Football League are stepped in to try and sort the situation out.
This has all come about because Sky chose to televise Millwall’s game against QPR, the first game to be on Sky since the booing of fans against Derby.
Millwall booing the knee😐 pic.twitter.com/v3qfXRmf0Z
— Oliver⚒🎄 (@HammerzOliver) December 5, 2020
Prior to the Championship fixture, Sky Sports ran a story saying that the Millwall players would take the knee, despite a joint statement to the contrary and repeated denials from Millwall’s press office. Millwall denied the story according to The Athletic.
It’s understood that Millwall are blaming several media outlets, including Sky Sports, for trying to make a big deal and dramatise the pre-match gestures ahead of the Queens Park Rangers game.
Plus it didn’t help that there was so much focus on whether or not the fans choose to boo the taking of the knee again.
Because of this, Millwall want to try and stop Sky Sports from showing the game against Watford late December.
The club will no doubt will they have suffered enough bad press of late and will want to keep the cameras out to stop the hype.
Millwall fans clapped as their players stood – rather than took the knee – at the club’s game against QPR
Read more here: https://t.co/fGD1rO43FA pic.twitter.com/azpu9NiA9R
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 9, 2020
If the game doesn’t get show on TV, it would mean that Millwall give up a fee of £75,000, something the club are willing to consider.
The EFL are looking into the issue on behalf of Millwall however it’s to be decided what happens and the Lions’ stance remains.
Clubs within the second, third and fourth tier of English football are reportedly discussing making big changes to taking the knee before matches amid concerns about the gesture and it’s connotations.
Teams have held talks with the league in the last week about scrapping taking the knee before matches to distance themselves political ‘ties’ of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Being discussed were possible alternatives to the pre-match ritual to continue to show their support for the fight against racism such as anti-discrimination banners.
An EFL spokesman told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The EFL welcomes the positive, proactive approach taken by Millwall and QPR players as both set of squads continue to raise awareness of inequality and discrimination facing society. We will continue to support the wishes of our clubs’ players either on an individual or collective basis.
‘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.’
Premier League clubs have had Black Lives Matter logos emblazoned onto their shirts but insisted it was not an endorsement of the Marxist political organisation of the same name.
They replaced the logos for this season with ones that state No Room For Racism though Black Lives Matter is still shown on-screen during television broadcasts of matches on Sky Sports.
The EFL don’t have an affiliation with the Black Lives Matter movement but with clubs still taking the knee, they now are now concerned that there is mixed messages with fans.
Middlesbrough decided to stop taking the knee this season with manager Neil Warnock having his say about the changes.
‘I think that [standing behind an anti-racism banner rather than taking the knee] made the point more than the knee,’ said Boro boss Neil Warnock. ‘We are all of the same opinion about what we are trying to achieve. It’s just that our lads don’t think the knee is relevant, they don’t agree with the political side of that, so Britt [Assombalonga, Boro captain] said.’
After the booing by fans at Millwall’s 1-0 defeat against Derby, Lions defender Mahlon Romeo accused the club’s supporters of “spreading hatred.”
Fans reacted after seeing that Millwall will look to block Sky Sports coverage of an upcoming game against Coventry…
@LinghamColin: Its refreshing how, although we get treated so badly by most, we are still a Club and fan base that stands up for all we believe and we aren’t afraid to be unliked. We just raised questions about why people are still kneeling and opened up the debate to stop it.
@WatfordBloke: Every day in every way I like Millwall a little bit more!! FCUK SKY SPORTS and their BLM agenda
@Hayter16inch: I love Millwall. There, I’ve said it. Carry on.
@gaz_qpr: Well done Millwall..Sky coverage that night was disgusting.
@solarcycles: Kudos to Millwall….. A club with some balls to kick this nonsense into touch
@UnitedfanManc: Do Sky Sports actually show or discuss football anymore?! Every time I’ve had the misfortune of seeing their channel recently it’s either discussion of footballers grovelling on their knees or BLM banners flashing up on screen. They’ve become an obsessive BLM propaganda machine.
@CkMillwall: Millwall have moved to ban Sky Sports from televising their home game against Watford on December 29 amid an ongoing dispute with the broadcaster over their coverage of last week’s game with QPR. This is getting embarrassing
@andrewmfc: Really glad the club is taking this stance. The coverage that night was a disgrace, before the game, at half time and after the game, it was as if there hadn’t been a game of football played.
@RunnerPompey: Quite right too. Millwall were dragged through the gutter by @SkySportsNews and @talkSPORT Booing taking the knee is NOT racist !!!
@hbghoopster: Well done to Millwall they won’t be the last
@seammullin: So the efl are helping them block the coverage? Fuck both of them
@AlexSmi43899927: About time, credit to Milwall for taking a proper stand against facists
It’ll only be about £12 so that’s fine
— Chris (@chrismillwall) December 14, 2020
They don’t feel it is right to have cameras in while they are in dispute. I don’t think they are trying to say it is for forever.
— Richard Cawley (@RichCawleySLP) December 14, 2020
Do Sky Sports actually show or discuss football anymore?! Every time I’ve had the misfortune of seeing their channel recently it’s either discussion of footballers grovelling on their knees or BLM banners flashing up on screen. They’ve become an obsessive BLM propaganda machine.
— UnitedfanManc (@UnitedfanManc) December 14, 2020
I think it’s about time other clubs stood up to them as well. They have basic dictated to f’ball for too long with total disregard for travelling fans KO times etc & their reporting recently has been shocking & they are not the only ones
— Rog (@rogerthedodge2) December 14, 2020
Good stand up for us. We are not all racists or whatever else. It’s a joke this newspaper’s and Tvs companies are not held accountable.
— Mike McEvoy (@mikemcevoy0) December 14, 2020
Agree. It was a virtue signalling opportunity for Sky. Glad to see the Club making a stand.
— Clarence the lion 3.5% (@Clarenc25093338) December 14, 2020
Well done Millwall it’s about time we stick up for ourselves and start f**king off those who want to drag our name through the mud.
— Paul Milton (@mfctallpaul) December 14, 2020
Do you think Sky are starting to realise? pic.twitter.com/BbAEAkJ4W0
— Andy (@AndypMFC) December 14, 2020
— Tommy Noyes (@tommy_noyes) December 14, 2020
100% mate and didn’t even ask a for a Millwall Rep to be on to defend the club to the hilt. 28mins into the programme before football was mentioned. No research done just a character assassination of the club
— Gary (@garylovesjackie) December 14, 2020
Good to hear ! Sky have been an absolute joke this season trying to force every woke agenda under the sun down people throats then freak out when a club doesn’t pander to them ! Hope other club’s follow suit !
— HereForNow (@HereForNow17) December 14, 2020
Probably best it’s not televised to be honest. Need to sort out whats goin wrong on the pitch before worrying what’s gone wrong off it
— Marc (@Merch74687349) December 14, 2020
I’ve completely finished with football!I heard we lost 3-0 at the weekend but don’t know any other results. @SkySports has destroyed the game with their woke agenda, and last week’s disgraceful @MillwallFC @QPR show, followed by the ridiculous PSG postponement was a step too far
— CTREK 🕷 (@1CTREK) December 14, 2020
Congratulations Millwall stand up to Sky Crap
— Be Proud and Loud (@IGoodwyn) December 14, 2020
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