Fan facing LIFETIME ban from Championship side for booing players who took a knee this week

Football fan facing LIFETIME ban from Championship side for booing players who took a knee… with clubs using CCTV to single out supporters who jeer gesture

  • One club has reviewed video footage and witness statements to identify a fan 
  • The fan could become the first in the country to be permanently banned 
  • The move follows a zero-tolerance pledge from Colchester’s Robbie Cowling
  • Millwall’s clash with Derby was another overshadowed by home fans jeering

A Championship club has threatened to issue a lifetime ban to a supporter for booing while players took a knee this week.

As reported by Sportsmail on Tuesday, clubs have been using CCTV to identify supporters who jeer the pre-match gesture in support of racial equality since the return of fans this month.

And one second-tier club have reviewed video footage and witness statements to identify a 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 booing as players took the knee.

A Championship club has threatened a lifetime ban to a fan booing while players took a knee. There is nothing to suggest the incident occurred during Millwall vs QPR, the game pictured

A Championship club has threatened a lifetime ban to a fan booing while players took a knee. There is nothing to suggest the incident occurred during Millwall vs QPR, the game pictured

Championship clubs have been using CCTV to identify fans who jeer the pre-match gesture

Championship clubs have been using CCTV to identify fans who jeer the pre-match gesture

The move follows a zero-tolerance pledge from League Two Colchester’s chairman Robbie Cowling after their match was also marred by booing when players took the knee.

In a statement released on Monday Cowling explained the significance of the gesture and told supporters who cannot remain silent while it is taking place that they are ‘not welcome at our club.’ Cowling also said he was happy to refund fans who felt they could no longer attend games because players were taking knee.

Millwall’s clash with Derby last Saturday was another overshadowed 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 move follows a zero-tolerance pledge from Colchester's chairman Robbie Cowling

The move follows a zero-tolerance pledge from Colchester’s chairman Robbie Cowling

Millwall's clash with Derby was overshadowed by home fans jeering the gesture pre-match

Millwall’s clash with Derby was overshadowed by home fans jeering the gesture pre-match

Millwall’s squad decided as a team to change their stance following discussions on the matter that continued until close to kick-off on Tuesday.

And Lions manager Gary Rowett, whose players also stood alongside QPR’s pre-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.’

Lions manager Gary Rowett has dismissed suggestions they were pressured into any changes

Lions manager Gary Rowett has dismissed suggestions they were pressured into any changes

source: dailymail.co.uk