Millwall have been charged by the Football Association after some fans allegedly used racist language during their FA Cup victory over Everton in January.
There were a series of incidents before and during the cup tie on January 26th at The Den with Millwall and Everton supporters clashing in the streets before the match, leaving to one fan having his face slashed with a knife in the clashes.
But this charge relates to chanting a group of the home fans sung, allegedly saying to the Toffees supporters they’d ‘rather be a P*** than a Scouse.’
Other clips from the match show the same set of supporters, sat in the Dockers Stand, chanting ‘you’re mum’s a slag’ and ‘your dad’s a nonce’.
An FA statement released on Thursday said: “It is alleged the club failed to ensure its spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words, which included a reference to race and/or ethnic origin during the Emirates FA Cup tie against Everton on 26 January 2019.”
Millwall have since closed that area of the ground in The Dockers Stand, where the chanting was filmed.
In reaction to the clip, anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said: “The racist chanting heard from some Millwall supporters is disgusting and typical of mass discriminatory chants that continue to go unpunished.
“We reiterate our message: racial hatred – and all forms of discrimination – have no place in society, especially not in 2019. There is no reason why a footballing environment should be the exception to this rule.
“Kick It Out wants to see the relevant authorities take swift, firm and decisive action against the perpetrators.”
The club said it was ‘extremely disappointed’ at the alleged racial chanting immediately after the story broke and vowed to ban any supporter identified joining in the racist chants for life.
It read: “Millwall Football Club is aware of, and extremely disappointed by, a video circulating online displaying alleged racist chanting during Saturday’s victory over Everton.
“The club will, as is commonplace following such incidents, work with all relevant authorities during investigations into the matter and look to identify individuals involved.
“Anyone identified and guilty of such abuse will be banned from The Den for life.”
An incident before the game also saw an Everton supporters bus caught in the crossfire between the feuding fans.
The company who owned the coach, Vision, claimed there was over £10,000 worth of damage done including a cracked windscreen, three smashed windows and a damaged wing mirror.
The Lions have since beaten AFC Wimbledon in the fifth round of the cup to reach the quarter-finals and they will play Brighton at The Den next month.