Westminster City Council has issued an apology to Millwall FC after a racism awareness pamphlet for schoolchildren featured an illustration of a Ku Klux Klan member wearing the football club's logo.
Council Forced to Apologise
The Central London council has been compelled to apologise for what it described as an "insensitive" illustration. Millwall FC condemned the image as "false and damaging," and the club is reportedly considering legal action. The pamphlet was created by a Westminster City Council employee, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
Millwall FC's Response
In a statement posted on X, Millwall Supporters Club relayed the club's message: "The club has received a full apology from Westminster Council following their serious misuse of a registered club badge, which was placed on an illustration of a white supremacist hate group member in a children's education booklet distributed in schools, creating a false and damaging image of the club." The council confirmed that no further copies of the image with the club's logo will be produced or distributed, and all remaining materials will be destroyed. Millwall FC added, "The club is still considering its legal position on the matter and are unable to comment further."
Details of the Pamphlet
A photograph of the pamphlet shared on X shows a cartoon of a KKK member wearing a white robe and pointed hat, with the Millwall FC logo on the chest. Next to it is a photograph of Paul Canonville, the first black player for Chelsea FC, who joined the club in 1981. Canonville endured severe racist abuse during his professional career from 1981 to 1986, including from Chelsea fans and teammates. A quote alongside his image reads: "Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall but then I could show the racists my 1984 2nd Division Championship medal." The front of the pamphlet reportedly includes spaces for children to write their name and class, along with logos for Westminster City Council, Kensington and Chelsea Council, and The Paul Canonville Foundation.
Further Inquiries
The LDRS has also contacted Kensington and Chelsea Council and The Paul Canonville Foundation for comment. This incident highlights ongoing sensitivities around racism in football and the importance of careful messaging in educational materials.
