Westminster City Council has issued an unqualified apology to Millwall Football Club for the "improper use" of its official logo in an educational booklet distributed in schools. The booklet, aimed at children, depicted a figure associated with a white supremacist hate group, specifically the Ku Klux Klan, adorned with the Millwall badge.
The council acknowledges the "insensitive" nature of the illustration, has removed the booklet from circulation, and is reviewing internal procedures to prevent recurrence.
Millwall Football Club, currently competing for promotion to the Premier League, has expressed strong objection to the unauthorised use of its crest. They state they were neither consulted nor asked to approve the content of the educational material. The club is reportedly considering its legal options following the incident.
The booklet's purpose was to educate about historical racism in football, referencing the experiences of former Chelsea player Paul Canoville. An illustration showed a cartoon figure in KKK regalia, featuring the Millwall crest, placed alongside a reference to racial abuse Canoville endured, including during a match involving Millwall reserves.
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The Paul Canoville Foundation, involved in the broader anti-racism initiative, has explicitly distanced itself from the booklet's content, stating its involvement was limited to Canoville's personal appearances and sharing his experiences. Foundation CEO Raphael Frascogna confirmed they were not shown, consulted on, or asked to approve the booklet's illustrations.
The controversy highlights sensitivities surrounding the use of club imagery in educational contexts, particularly when addressing historical injustices within sport.
