Qpr Players Will Take The Knee Against Millwall In Display Of Solidarity
QPR say that their entire squad will take the knee when the Championship side plays Millwall at The Den on Tuesday night.
The decision would reverse QPR’s club policy, which is against taking the knee before games, in solidarity with the anti-racism movement. Fans booed Millwall players as they took the gesture on Saturday before the club’s home defeat to Derby County.
QPR manager Mark Warburton confirmed that, at the request of the players, the club will reverse its policy for the trip to South East London.
QPR players do not take the knee before games, unlike many clubs across professional football in England, after taking the decision to stop making the gesture in September. The move was defended at the time by Les Ferdinand, the club’s Director of Football and the only Black person in such a role in elite men’s football in England. He explained the decision, saying the taking of the knee amounted to little more than ‘good PR’, and that the message had been ‘diluted’.
After Millwall fans booed players taking the knee against Derby on Saturday – in the first match at The Den to be played in front of fans since March – the club said it was ‘dismayed and saddened’ by the fans’ behaviour.
In a statement, Millwall said: “The club has worked tirelessly in recent months to prepare for the return of supporters and what should have been a positive and exciting occasion was completely overshadowed, much to the immense disappointment and upset of those who have contributed to those efforts.
“Over the coming days, club, academy and Community Trust staff will meet with Kick It Out and representatives from other appropriate bodies in an attempt to use Saturday’s events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions which have an impact both in the short and long-term.
A statement from Kick It Out on Saturday said: “We are saddened by the behaviour of fans booing the players taking the knee… at Millwall.
“What this demonstrates is that players are right to continue standing up to discrimination, whether that is through taking the knee or speaking out. The fight for racial equality continues and we will continue to work closely with clubs across the country to tackle discrimination in all its forms. We applaud the players for taking a stand and defying the hate shown today.”
A similar incident took place at League Two club Colchester United, whose Chairman, Robbie Cowling, wrote to fans urging those who boo the gesture to ‘stay away’.
“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.”
