In this article, we look at what Derby players did at half time following pre-match booing from Millwall fans at The Den on Saturday.
Several Rams players were left angered by what they and Millwall players were greeted to prior kick-off in what was the first match with fans since March.
The Athletic say that, during the interval, several members of the squad, including Colin Kazim-Richards and Andre Wisdom, got the team together, spoke about what they heard, told them to make each other proud, not let the boos affect their performance in the second half and to win the game.
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
It must be hard to be welcomed with that, to completely change your mindset pre-game and it was stressed in the dressing room that nobody should react or do anything that could harm the team.
No footballer reacted to the point that they refused to play on with the league fixture after the booing took place, something which has happened before in matches across the world.
They thought it would be best to discuss what further action to take afterwards, before Derby went on to win 1-0, only their second league victory in 16 games already played in the Championship this season.
The result takes Derby up to 23rd in the Championship table, taking them to 11 points and two points from safety.
Players in the Premier League and Championship have been taking a knee as a peaceful protest against racism since George Floyd’s death in America.
Millwall defender Mahlon Romeo has accused the club’s supporters of “spreading hatred” after a section of fans booed when the players took a knee in support of the fight against racial injustice.
Millwall defender Mahlon Romeo says today’s game became irrelevant when fans booed as the players took a knee in support of anti-racism. pic.twitter.com/jXD0ZKibbQ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 5, 2020
Romeo told the South London Press: “Today’s game, to me now, has become irrelevant. The fans have been let back in – which the whole team was looking forward to. But in society there is a problem – and that problem is racism.
“The fans who have been let in today have personally disrespected not just me but the football club. And what the football club and the community stand for. What they’ve done is booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which was put in place to highlight, combat and stop any discriminatory behaviour and racism. That’s it – that’s all that gesture is.
“And the fans have chosen to boo that, which for the life of me I can’t understand. It has offended me and everyone who works for this club – the players and the staff.
“I’m speaking on behalf of myself here – not any of the other players – I want to make that very clear. This is the first time I feel disrespected. Because you have booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which – and it needs repeating – was put in place to highlight, combat and tackle any discriminatory behaviour and racism in general.”
“I’m almost lost for words,” he added. “I don’t know how they thought that would make me feel. I don’t know what they thought taking a knee stood for. But I think I’ve explained it simply enough. I feel really low – probably the lowest I’ve felt in my time at this club.
“It’s something I can’t wrap my head around. People will have their beliefs and views, which everyone is entitled to. I’m not trying to stop or contain – but if your beliefs and views oppose a positive change in society then don’t come to a football ground and spread them around.
“If it’s negative, don’t think you can come to a football ground and this is the place where you can spread hatred essentially.
“When fans are booing a peaceful gesture to highlight racism, it naturally makes you ask yourself ‘why am I putting myself through this?’. I’m sure not all Millwall fans share the same opinion – it’s a small collection. But if we’re being realistic it made me feel very small and it made me feel personally disrespected.”
The incident was condemned by Derby forward Colin Kazim-Richards and interim boss Wayne Rooney following the match, while the English Football League (EFL), Football Association (FA) and anti-racism charity Kick It Out all released statements following the game.
Several hours after the match on Saturday night Millwall had not offered an official response to the incident, but boss Gary Rowett said he was left frustrated that the return of fans had been overshadowed.
Millwall manager Gary Rowett was disappointed that fans booed when players from both clubs took a knee ahead of the match against Derby but also stressed that Millwall as a club have done a lot of work to campaign against racism.
More: https://t.co/BMbg3ytlJu pic.twitter.com/sEJxzVSSl0
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 5, 2020
He told Sky Sports: “I’m disappointed that we are talking about that when we should be talking about the fact we are all back and we want to enjoy the football match again.
“The club do an enormous amount of work on anti-racism and the club do a lot of work in the community and there is some really positive stuff, so of course I am disappointed.”
On players taking a knee, Rowett added: “Is it a political message, is it an anti-discrimination message? The players have come out and said they don’t support the political aspect, but they do support the anti-discrimination aspect of it and of course we all do.”
Fans reacted at what Derby players did at half time following the pre-match booing from Millwall fans…
Only Millwall could make me happy about a Derby victory 😂 but I’m fucking happy about that Derby victory 👏 well done
— James Somers 🏆 (@JSomers90) December 5, 2020
Slightly missing the point, mate?
— drummersbeensenthome (@oneseventyfive) December 5, 2020
As daft as it sounds it could be a turning point. We’ve looked toothless up to now, maybe it took the players to react to a crowd reaction to shake it up
— Vaughan Richards (@Vaughanyboy) December 5, 2020
Love it❤
— Louise Hillyer (@LouLouRam) December 5, 2020
And this here, this makes me proud, proud to support these players and what they represent
— Bush (@Ian_Bushby) December 5, 2020
That’s 2020 for you. The definition of “education” is utterly skewed. If people want to “take a knee”, that’s their right. If anyone wants to to question or challenge the real meaning of that gesture, let that also be their right.
— Geoff Ofthereds (@ofthereds) December 6, 2020
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