Millwall fans booing: Discriminatory fans cannot be tolerated - Wayne Rooney

Derby County's Colin Kazim-Richards raises his fist as Millwall players take a knee before kick-offGetty Images

Derby County's Colin Kazim-Richards raises his fist as players take a knee before kick-off

Derby County caretaker manager Wayne Rooney has urged football fans to not "tolerate or accept" the actions of "mindless" fans who take part in discriminatory behaviour.

Some Millwall fans booed the players taking a knee before Saturday's game against Rooney's Derby at The Den.

"It is really important that the vast majority of us show respect and support of each other," said Rooney, 35.

Millwall say they are "dismayed and saddened" by the booing.

They said staff and volunteers have worked hard to enhance the club's reputation but admits there is still "much work to be done". The Lions added they are committed to doing it to "be a force for good".

The Den was able to host 2,000 home fans for the first time this season after the second national lockdown was lifted.

The return of spectators was overshadowed by the pre-match incident.

The Football Association and anti-discrimination body Kick It Out have condemned the booing.

Former England captain Rooney, whose side won Saturday's game 1-0, said afterwards it was "disappointing and upsetting" to hear the booing from supporters.

On Sunday, he released a longer statement about the incident and said Derby had been warned before the match about the potential response of some home fans.

"We were made aware of the possibility of a planned disruptive response during the taking of the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign," said the former Everton and Manchester United player.

"On behalf of Derby County Football Club, I want it to be clear to everyone associated with the club that we represent all sectors of our community regardless of colour, gender or sexuality.

"It is important we do not tolerate or accept the actions of the mindless few."

Derby forward Colin Kazim-Richards described the incident as "an absolute disgrace".

Players, officials and staff at Premier League and English Football League games have been taking a knee pre-match since football restarted in June in order to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement for racial equality.

'When these negative things happen, it brings people together'

Derby first-team coach Liam Rosenior said that the players were affected by the booing at The Den on Saturday.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It did hurt, but I wasn't surprised because what's happened is that a positive message in terms of unifying people from all different backgrounds - all different creeds, religions, genders, sexualities, races - has been conflated into something that is now being described as political activism.

"I'm really proud to represent my country and my football club, I'm proud to be a black and ethnic minority coach in the game and that hurt, being stood on the touchline hearing the boos.

"It was something we had prepared for but I'd be lying if I didn't say there are players who perform for us and their performances were affected by those supporters.

"Wayne was outstanding on the day in supporting players who were clearly affected by something they couldn't believe was happening in front of their eyes.

"These are players that are doing something they love and I have to say not just Derby players... I thought Mahlon Romeo's performance [for Millwall] was absolutely outstanding.

"It must've been really, really difficult proudly wearing a Millwall shirt to hear supporters boo something that you believe in, which is not a political message, let's make this absolutely clear. This is a message about unifying our country."

Rosenior is a member of the FA's inclusion advisory board and is also on a panel of six who will appoint the next FA chairman in the spring.

The role became vacant after previous incumbent Greg Clarke resigned last month, having used what he admitted was "unacceptable" language when referring to black players while appearing before the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee via video link.

"We are taking the next appointment extremely seriously in terms of not just what's right for football but what's right for society," said former England Under-21 international Rosenior, who played for a host of clubs, including Fulham, Reading, Hull and Brighton.

"I've heard a lot of people say that football shouldn't be a vehicle for change in society but it absolutely 100% is.

"Look at the actions of Marcus Rashford recently and what he's done to implement change.

"I know that footballers are role models in their communities and that's something where, at the very top, we can affect things the best we can and appoint the very right person for the job moving forward."

Rosenior was encouraged by the positive reaction of supporters at Chelsea and Tottenham, following the incident at Millwall, to players taking the knee.

"We need to look at these instances of prejudice and racism and what it does is move things forward," he said.

"We have a lot of really good people who want the best for every member of our society. So when these negative things happen in football or in society it brings people together and that is actually the message in taking the knee."

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