Millwall have released a statement after their game with Derby County on Saturday was overshadowed by fans booing players taking the knee before the match.

The game marked the return of fans to The Den for the first time in nine months and as many as 2,000 supporters watched on.

However, the major talking point post match was their behaviour towards the players pre kick-off.

Players, officials and staff have been collectively 'taking the knee' before games in response to the Black Lives Matter movement and as an anti-racism stance.

Millwall released a statement on Sunday morning, saying they were 'dismayed and saddened' by what had happened and they will continue to work tirelessly to improve the club's reputation in the fight against racism.

"Millwall Football Club was dismayed and saddened by events which marred Saturday’s game against Derby County at The Den," read the statement.

"The club has worked tirelessly in recent months to prepare for the return of supporters and what should have been a positive and exciting occasion was completely overshadowed, much to the immense disappointment and upset of those who have contributed to those efforts.

"The impact of such incidents is felt not just by the players and management, but by those who work throughout the club and in its Academy and Community Trust, where so many staff and volunteers continue passionate endeavours to enhance Millwall’s reputation day after day, year after year.

"The club will not allow their fine work to be in vain.

"The players are continuing to use the biggest platform they have to support the drive for change, not just in football but in society generally.

"There is much work to be done and at Millwall everyone is committed to doing all that is possible, both individually and collectively, to be a force for good and to ensure that the club remains at the forefront of football’s anti-discrimination efforts.

"Over the coming days, club, 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.

"Further comment will be made once those meetings and discussions are concluded."

Derby County won the match 1-0 thanks to Jason Knight's second-half goal.