Millwall FC is considering legal action after their club badge was used on an illustration of a Ku Klux Klan figure in a children's educational booklet distributed in schools. The booklet, written by a Westminster City Council officer, aimed to tell the story of Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player, and his experiences with racism.
The booklet was written by Peter Daniel, an education and interpretation officer at Westminster City Council. It was distributed in schools as part of an anti-racism programme. The booklet aimed to tell the story of Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player, and his experiences with racism.
Paul Canoville played for Chelsea between 1981 and 1986 and helped them win the Second Division title in 1983-84, according to multiple reports. He defied racist abuse from elements of Chelsea's fanbase and rival fans. Canoville became a Chelsea club ambassador and set up the Paul Canoville Foundation in 2015.
The booklet featured a comic book-style page highlighting landmarks in Canoville's career, including his first goal and hat-trick for Chelsea, and continued racist abuse, according to multiple reports. One caption in the booklet read: '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 Champions medal.' The caption was accompanied by a depiction of a Ku Klux Klan figure with Millwall's club badge replacing the KKK logo.
Education has always been at the heart of our foundation’s mission. By partnering with Kick It Out and the University of Westminster, we’re ensuring that my story reaches young people in a way that’s both educational and transformational.
Westminster City Council apologized to Millwall and accepted the use of the image was insensitive, a council spokesperson said. 'We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the problem of racism within football. We have apologised to Millwall Football Club for the improper use of their logo and for any offence caused,' the spokesperson said. The council confirmed no more copies of the image with Millwall's logo will be made or distributed, and all remaining material will be destroyed. The booklet has been removed from circulation, and the council is reviewing processes to prevent recurrence. Millwall Supporters' Club confirmed the club received an apology from Westminster City Council over the 'serious misuse' of the club's badge.
Millwall is still considering its legal position and is unable to comment further, the club said. According to the Athletic, the Paul Canoville Foundation said the imagery was not factually accurate but was in the spirit of what happened. A Millwall source told Telegraph Sport the club were 'furious' after working tirelessly to shake off their reputation for racism and hooliganism.
The council previously worked with the Paul Canoville Foundation, and Canoville has given talks about the dangers of drugs after battling addiction, according to research. In September, the foundation announced a new education partnership with Kick It Out and the University of Westminster. 'Education has always been at the heart of our foundation’s mission. By partnering with Kick It Out and the University of Westminster, we’re ensuring that my story reaches young people in a way that’s both educational and transformational,' Canoville said in a press release.
It remains unclear what specific legal action Millwall is considering, who approved the booklet's content at Westminster City Council, and whether the Paul Canoville Foundation was involved in the booklet's creation or review. The number of copies distributed and the schools that received them have not been disclosed. The internal review processes that Westminster City Council will implement to prevent similar incidents are also unknown.