Millwall Football Club has received a full apology from Westminster City Council following the "improper use" of its official logo in a children's educational booklet distributed in schools. The club is reportedly considering its legal position after the badge appeared on an illustration of a member of a white supremacist hate group.
The council acknowledged the "insensitive" depiction, admitting it was an inappropriate way to illustrate the historical issue of racism in football. The booklet, intended as an anti-racism resource, has since been removed from circulation, and remaining copies are to be destroyed.
The club's statement, issued via the Millwall Supporters' Club, expressed its objection to the unauthorised use of its registered badge on an image associated with hate groups, particularly given the distribution to children. They emphasized they were "at no stage shown, consulted on, or asked to approve the content of the booklet, including any illustrations within it."
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Council's Response and Wider Context
A spokesperson for Westminster City Council confirmed the apology and stated that internal processes are being reviewed to prevent recurrence. The council accepted the use of the image was insensitive and has apologised for any offence caused.
The controversial image appeared in a booklet focused on the life of former footballer Paul Canoville, who was the first black player for Chelsea. Canoville's experiences with racist abuse, including during a match involving Millwall reserves, are referenced in the material. However, the Paul Canoville Foundation has distanced itself from the booklet's content, clarifying that its involvement was limited to Canoville's personal appearances and sharing his experiences, not the creation or illustration of the educational material.
The incident has ignited discussions regarding the use of club imagery in educational materials and the need for sensitivity when addressing historical sports issues. Meanwhile, Millwall is currently contending for promotion to the Premier League, holding a strong position in the Championship.
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