A section of supporters made the decision to boo the players taking the knee ahead of Millwall's Championship clash against Derby County at The Den this afternoon.
For the first time since the first national lockdown was introduced back in March, 2,000 lucky supporters have been allowed to return to matches in England this week if the ground lies within a Tier 2 area.
Ever since the death of George Floyd earlier this year, footballers across the globe have been taking the knee prior to kick-off as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
However, after the players dropped to the knee at the start of the game, a section of the returning fans at Millwall booed the players as they were present for the first time that it had happened before their eyes inside the ground.
Prior to this afternoon's contest with the struggling Rams, Millwall's first-team players released a statement to confirm that they would be taking the knee ahead of kick-off.
In a statement, they said: "As a squad we are fully supportive of the entire football family’s efforts in ridding the sport, and society generally, of all forms of discrimination.
“It is our duty as players to reinforce the positive messaging and action of clubs, Community Trusts, charities and governing bodies, and we do so with great pride and knowledge that so much good work is being done up and down the country.
“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.”
Millwall supporters are among the first football fans in the country to be in the fortunate position to have returned to grounds, with much of the country still operating under Tier 3 restrictions.
The Championship club are yet to comment on this afternoon's events at the game, which finished 1-0 to Derby County.
But the FA have issued a response, as reported by the BBC.
In the report, an FA spokesperson is quoted as saying: "The FA supports all players and staff that wish to take a stand against discrimination in a respectful manner, which includes taking of the knee, and strongly condemns the behaviours of any spectators that actively voice their opposition to such activities."
Kick It Out have also issued a statement following the game, with chairman Sanjav Bhandari speaking out about the fans' actions.
"We are saddened by the behaviour of fans booing the players taking the knee today at Millwall," the statement read.
"What this demonstrates is that players are right to continue standing up to discrimination, whether that is through taking the knee or speaking out. The fight for racial equality continues and we will continue to work closely with clubs across the country to tackle discrimination in all its forms.
"We applaud the players for taking a stand and defying the hate shown today."
