One fan is kicked out of the ground for booing as players ‘take the knee’ at Exeter, and supporters also jeer during the pre-match gesture at Cambridge
- Some fans booed players taking a knee before Cambridge’s 2-1 win on Tuesday
- The same reaction could be heard at Exeter City’s clash with Harrogate Town
- One fan was ejected at St James Park for his reaction to the players’ gesture
- Cambridge manager Mark Bonner has slammed those who booed the gesture
- Exeter City captain Jake Taylor said there is no room for racism at their club
One supporter was ejected from Exeter City’s clash with Harrogate Town on Tuesday night as League Two saw two different sets of fans boo their players for taking the knee.
Cambridge United supporters could also be heard jeering the gesture before kick off during their match against Colchester United at Abbey Stadium.
However, at both grounds, fellow spectators quickly responded by applauding before the contests got under way.
One supporter was ejected from Exeter City’s home clash against Harrogate Town on Tuesday
The supporter could be heard booing when both sets of players took the knee before kick off
At Exeter’s St James Park, the supporter responsible for the booing was identified by stewards and escorted out of the ground.
However, that action has been questioned by some fans, who still disagree with the gesture’s links to the political movement Black Lives Matter.
‘Fans are being treat disgracefully,’ said @suemcdonald342 in response to the news. ‘Essentially you’re being forced to accept their political gestures whether you like it or not.
‘Till many boycott clubs nothing will change. Too many self important prima donnas with extremist views!’
Twitter user @PatriotActive66 added: ‘The message is clear from the clubs – they fear trial by media should they not bow down to BLM. Fans should send a message back by staying away.’
Players at clubs such as Millwall have confirmed that their taking the knee is in support of anti-racism and not in any shape an endorsement of BLM.
A spokesperson for the club said: ‘We would like to thank the vast majority of supporters who supported our players when they took the knee as part of tonight’s EFL wide campaign.
‘Unfortunately one supporter was ejected from the stadium and the club will take the appropriate action.’
Club captain Jake Taylor spoke out after full-time as well to condemn the individual.
‘It has been well documented over the last few weeks about the situation,’ he said.
‘There is no place for it at Exeter City so I’m glad he got dealt with and hopefully gets banned and has to deal with the consequences as it shouldn’t be happening in this day and age.’
There were similar scenes at Abbey Stadium where Cambridge United hosted Colchester
Some fans could be heard jeering the gesture, before applause drowned out the booing
Cambridge manager Mark Bonner has criticised fans that booed players taking a knee
Following the game at Cambridge, their manager Mark Bonner condemned those supporters that jeered the players.
As reported by Sky Sports, he said: ‘I’m disgusted to be honest, it shines a light on our club for all the wrong reasons.
‘What was a really good game for us on the pitch was overshadowed by a really small minority that decided to boo in a moment when we’re reflecting the values that everyone at our club believes in.
‘It is just behaviour which is unacceptable and at our club we don’t want that at all.
‘What was most encouraging is the vast majority drowned them out quite quickly with applause and reflected the values of our club much better.
‘We work incredibly hard in the community and there’s massive work that goes on to highlight all these issues and we’ve clearly got some work to do because some people have embarrassed our club and embarrassed themselves to be honest.’
A similar incident took place before Millwall’s game against Derby earlier this month
The incidents followed previous examples at Millwall and Colchester this month.
The Lions insisted they were “dismayed and saddened” by events at The Den ahead of the visit of Derby on December 5, when the long-awaited return of supporters was overshadowed by booing when players took the knee.
Colchester’s League Two game with Grimsby on the same day was preceded by fans booing the players’ anti-racism gesture before kick-off.
The Essex club’s owner Robbie Cowling said afterwards that fans who want to boo players taking the knee are not welcome at the club.