In a statement released on December 6th, Wayne Rooney condemned the Millwall fans who booed players taking the knee prior to the Championship match against his Derby County side on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney Condemns Millwall Fans
‘Disgraceful and Mindless
Interim Rams boss Wayne Rooney has not held back in a statement released on Twitter regarding Millwall fans booing players taking the knee prior to his sides’ 1-0 victory. The FA and Kick It Out have already reacted with dismay at the incident as well as Millwall releasing an official statement condemning the actions of those Millwall fans who booed. Rooney’s statement starts by saying:
“Yesterday I witnessed disgraceful and mindless behaviour by a large section of the Millwall supporters in the stadium.”
The incident has again tainted football with the issue of racism and prejudice but Rooney also said he couldn’t be prouder of how his club and players reacted: “I was proud of my players and staff for not letting the fans deter them from continuing to present a positive and important message that taking the knee immediately before a game sends. The professionalism of the players on both sides throughout the game was a credit to our profession, after such an incident.”
Further comments from yesterday’s game…. pic.twitter.com/7T25MmMDwI
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) December 6, 2020
The Vast Majority Must Stand Strong
Rooney has made it clear that Derby will not tolerate such behaviour and that everyone has a duty to stand up to those who try to commit mindless actions: “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. Fans being allowed back into stadiums is vital for the wellbeing of everybody involved in our sport from fans to players to chairmen and owners.
“It is therefore really important that the vast majority of us show respect and support of each other and do not tolerate or accept the actions of the mindless few.”
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