Millwall star Mahlon Romeo ‘feeling really low’ after own fans boo players taking a knee in anti-discrimation row
MILLWALL star Mahlon Romeo has admitted that he was ‘almost lost for words’ when a section of his own club’s supporters chose to boo players taking a knee prior to yesterday’s match against Derby.
The occasion marked the first time that Lions fans had been able to attend a home fixture since the coronavirus pandemic struck the UK in March.
But what was supposed to be a joyous occasion turned sour for Romeo, when he was left ‘feeling really low’ by the actions of some of his side’s returning supporters.
Players in England’s top leagues have been taking a knee since football’s resumption in June, in order to protest against worldwide racial discrimination.
The booing at The Den took place just a day after Millwall had released a statement, signalling their intentions to keep taking a knee before matches until they unveil ‘a new and comprehensive anti-discrimination strategy’ in the New Year.
After the match Romeo, who has played for the Lions since 2015, told the South London Press: “Today’s game, to me now, has become irrelevant. The fans have been let back in – which the whole team was looking forward to. But in society there is a problem – and that problem is racism.
“The fans who have been let in today have personally disrespected not just me but the football club. And what the football club and the community stand for.
“What they’ve done is booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which was put in place to highlight, combat and stop any discriminatory behaviour and racism. That’s it – that’s all that gesture is.
“And the fans have chosen to boo that, which for the life of me I can’t understand. It has offended me and everyone who works for this club – the players and the staff.
“I’m speaking on behalf of myself here – not any of the other players – I want to make that very clear. This is the first time I feel disrespected.
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“Because you have booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which – and it needs repeating – was put in place to highlight, combat and tackle any discriminatory behaviour and racism in general.”
The defender, 25, also accused those booing of ‘spreading hatred’ with their actions.
He continued: “I’m almost lost for words. I don’t know how they thought that would make me feel. I don’t know what they thought taking a knee stood for.
“But I think I’ve explained it simply enough. I feel really low – probably the lowest I’ve felt in my time at this club.
But if we’re being realistic it made me feel very small and it made me feel personally disrespected
Mahlon Romeo
“It’s something I can’t wrap my head around. People will have their beliefs and views, which everyone is entitled to. I’m not trying to stop or contain – but if your beliefs and views oppose a positive change in society then don’t come to a football ground and spread them around.
“If it’s negative, don’t think you can come to a football ground and this is the place where you can spread hatred essentially.
“When fans are booing a peaceful gesture to highlight racism, it naturally makes you ask yourself ‘why am I putting myself through this?’.
“I’m sure not all Millwall fans share the same opinion – it’s a small collection. But if we’re being realistic it made me feel very small and it made me feel personally disrespected.”
Opposing interim manager and former England captain Wayne Rooney also condemned the actions of the Millwall supporters.
He told talkSPORT: “I was very surprised if I’m being honest.
“Everyone at Derby Country has been in full support of taking the knee, so it was quite surprising and I’m sure for our players it could have been difficult to hear that.
“But they reacted well, they put it to the back of their minds and they got on with the game, so credit to them for that.
“But I don’t think that is condoned in football.”
Home manager Gary Rowett was also frustrated, with the return of supporters having been overshadowed.
The club do an enormous amount of work on anti-racism and the club do a lot of work in the community and there is some really positive stuff, so of course I am disappointed
Gary Rowett
He said: “I’m disappointed that we are talking about that when we should be talking about the fact we are all back and we want to enjoy the football match again.
“The club do an enormous amount of work on anti-racism and the club do a lot of work in the community and there is some really positive stuff, so of course I am disappointed.”
“Is it (taking a knee) a political message, is it an anti-discrimination message? The players have come out and said they don’t support the political aspect, but they do support the anti-discrimination aspect of it and of course we all do.”
On Sunday morning, Millwall released a statement condemning the actions of their supporters, and announcing their intentions to meet with Kick It Out officials over the coming days ‘in an attempt to use Saturday’s events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions.’