Millwall Football Club have finally released a statement following an incident which saw their supporters boo their own players for taking a knee in solidarity of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.
The club said they were 'saddened' by events which took place during Millwall's Championship game with Derby county on Saturday and felt 'disappointed' that the return of fans to their stadium was 'overshadowed'.
As a result, Academy and Community Trust staff will meet with Kick It Out and representatives from other appropriate bodies in an attempt to use Saturday's events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions which have an impact both in the short and long-term.
Saturday's game should have been a joyous occasion as 2,000 supporters were permitted to attend the game for the first time since lockdown started in March.
However, the day was overshadowed by the fans' response to seeing their side take the knee for the first time in person.
Prior to their game, the Millwall squad released a statement saying:'The gesture of 'taking the knee' before matches provides an opportunity for us to do exactly that and continues to allow all those playing to publicly showcase their support - on behalf of the whole squad - for the fight against discrimination.
'We wish to make clear that taking the knee, for us, is in no way representative of any agreement with political messaging or ideology.
'It is purely about tackling discrimination, as has been the case throughout.
'We will continue to do this until the start of the new year when a new and comprehensive anti-discrimination strategy will be announced by the club.'
Derby County interim boss Wayne Rooney shared his disappointment in the Millwall fans response, saying: 'I heard it, I was very surprised. It is a sad thing to happen.'
'All I can say is everyone at Derby County Football Club has fully backed taking the knee, and will continue to do so. It is a shame because I think there has been great progress in that campaign. To hear that is very disappointing and upsetting for a lot of people.'
'I am sure it is something that does need looking at and addressing.'
The gesture has been carried out by players and staff across the country originally in support of Black Lives Matter, before the Premier League distanced itself from the movement.
Not all teams continue to take the knee before games, with Queens Park Rangers' director of football Les Ferdinand saying the impact of the stance had been 'diluted'.
However, several players and pundits took to social media to condemn the fans and call for action to be taken.
On Twitter, Gary Lineker, said: 'Let's be fair, it only appears to be a small minority of Millwall fans that didn't boo the players taking the knee.'
Trevor Sinclair, who was sacked by the BBC for racially abusing a police officer while being arrested for drink driving in 2018, slammed the Millwall fans.
He wrote: 'Reality is Millwall fans booing players taking a knee doesn't surprise many!!!'
Former England striker Dion Dublin said: 'To me, they are racist. They don't agree with taking the knee, which means they're racist.'
While Greg Halford called for the EFL to intervene, saying they 'have to be strong. and take serious action against this'.
Kick It Out's Troy Townsend shared his opinion on the events that took place on Saturday, saying he knows there are good people at the club but questioned why they didn't respond earlier.
Townsend told Sky Sports: 'Well, I've got to be honest I was in conversation with the club last night and I feel for the good people at the club who I've worked with for the last year and a bit like Steve Kavanagh (chief executive), the chairman (John Berylson) and people on the board.
'I know this is not them and Steve was hurting. They're trying to change around history of this football club and it's never going to be easy because their fanbase has let them down continuously.'
He added: 'I absolutely do feel that Millwall should have put something out yesterday to stand by those players who are hurt.
'To stand by their staff, and they have many black members of staff who are equally as hurt and are equally as damaged by the fact that their fanbase could dare to question what the players are trying to achieve.'