Statement – Breach of FA Rule E20 (vs Everton)
The Millwall Supporters’ Club (MSC) is deeply disappointed with the decision made by the FA regulatory commission to impose a fine on Millwall Football Club due to the breach of said rule during our FA Cup tie against Everton Football Club in January 2019.
We accept that at this high-profile game, with an increased attendance, there was a breach of the E20 rule and this behaviour by a small minority was truly incomprehensible and must always be condemned to the fullest. Racism and discriminatory language and behaviour of all kinds has no place amongst our support, just as it does not have a place amongst society. For this is a societal issue that is not specific to just football.
Our club & supporters’ groups have and will continue to work tirelessly on anti-discriminatory issues. We have led the way on tackling this behaviour for decades now, through the club’s Millwall For All programme, the work of the Millwall Community Trust and the continual pre-emptive approach the club takes to these issues. Over the past few decades you will be hard pressed to find any other club that has worked so hard on these issues and done more for the work of reducing this behaviour.
In our view, The FA would better serve football supporters and clubs by taking a national approach to assisting with fan education and anti-discriminatory issues rather than waiting until after the event to punish. It is a sorry state of English football where our governing body is a reactionary body rather than proactive, instead leaving the co-ordination of such efforts to a range of different independent bodies. On this key societal issue, the FA have been found failing and have let the good work of others mean they just focus on punishments rather than education. This needs to change.
We will continue to support bodies such as Kick It Out & Show Racism the Red Card wholeheartedly and with a renewed energy. Their work has always been highlighted within our fanbase and through wonderful programmes run by the Millwall Community Trust and long may this continue.
We will make no further comment.