Millwall fans applaud QPR players who took the knee after anti-racism banner show of unity

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Millwall and QPR players were cheered at The Den on Tuesday night as they held up a banner to show their collective commitment for fighting racism and inequality in football, while those who took the knee were also applauded.

The scenes were in contrast to those on Saturday at The Den, when Derby County and Millwall players were booed for taking a knee.

In the wake of that match, Millwall and QPR agreed they would link arms before kick-off on Tuesday as an alternative anti-racism message.

The gesture of linking arms was agreed by Millwall and QPR on Monday after crisis talks were held between the clubs, Kick It Out, Show Racism the Red Card, the PFA, the FA and the EFL.

Players were still able to take the knee if they wished before kick-off at The Den on Tuesday and those from QPR did. Unlike on Saturday, however, they were not loudly booed by those at The Den.

Before kick-off, those 2,000 fans at The Den on Tuesday night were handed a letter by the club explaining “the eyes of the world are on this football club tonight.”

The statement added: “This is one of the most important days in Millwall’s history.

“Last night, the club released a statement announcing its new United For Change initiative. Lions fans from all over the world were unanimous in their support.

“It is your duty and responsibility as a member of the crowd tonight to continue that superb backing.

“Before kick-off, our players and those from QPR will link arms in a show of unity and togetherness towards the fight against discrimination.

“We know that the crowd, as has always been the case, will be fully supportive of that gesture.

“As was also made clear last night, we ask that those opposition players taking the knee are respected, as it is their right to do so.

“The eyes of the world are on this football club tonight - your club - and they want us to fail.

“Together as one, we will not let that happen.”

Before kick-off midfielder Jed Wallace told Sky Sports: “It is important we show as a football club that we are united against all forms of discrimination from the players, the fans, the manager, the CEO and the chairman.

“We are showing a united message along with QPR that we want to move forward in a positive light and put out as clear a message as we can that, of course at this stadium, and all football stadiums around the world, we are completely against all racism within and out of sport.

“Hopefully tonight we will show that message loud and clear.”

Some Millwall fans had previously claimed their boos during the match with Derby were not protesting against the anti-discrimination message, but the politicisation of the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK.

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