Millwall Football Club is considering legal action after its club badge was used on an illustration of a Ku Klux Klan figure in a children's educational booklet. The booklet, written by Peter Daniel, an education and interpretation officer at Westminster City Council, was distributed in schools and aimed at telling the story of Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player. According to the booklet, one caption 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 words were featured alongside a depiction of a member of the Ku Klux Klan with their logo replaced by Millwall's club badge.
Paul Canoville played for Chelsea between 1981 and 1986, helping them to the Second Division title in 1983-84, according to his biography. He defied racist abuse from elements of the team's fanbase and rival fans, as reported by the club. The booklet featured a comic book-style page that highlighted landmarks in Canoville's career, such as his first goal and hat-trick for Chelsea, as well as continuing to be targeted by racist abuse. Canoville eventually became a Chelsea club ambassador and set up the Paul Canoville Foundation, a charity founded in 2015. The booklet has been issued in schools as part of an anti-racism programme, with images shared on social media showing the front cover with the foundation and City of Westminster logos.
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 has confirmed that no more copies of the image with the club's logo will be made or distributed by them and all remaining material in their possession will be destroyed. The council said: 'We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the problem of racism within football.' They added: 'We have apologised to Millwall Football Club for the improper use of their logo and for any offence caused.' The council also stated: 'The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn't happen again.' The club is still considering its legal position on the matter and is unable to comment further, according to Millwall Supporters' Club.
A Millwall source told Telegraph Sport the club were 'furious' after working tirelessly for years to shake off their reputation for being a home to racist and hooligan supporters. According to the Athletic, the Paul Canoville Foundation has said the imagery was not factually accurate, but was in the spirit of what the booklet aimed to convey. The club's anger reflects the sensitivity around its historical association with racism, which it has actively sought to address through community programmes and anti-racism initiatives.
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The Paul Canoville Foundation, which the footballer set up in 2015, has focused on education and anti-racism work. The council has previously worked with the foundation, and Canoville has given talks about the dangers of drugs after battling addiction. In September, the foundation announced a new education partnership with Kick It Out, English football’s anti-discrimination watchdog, developed in collaboration with the University of Westminster’s Centre for Education and Training Innovation (CETI). Canoville said: '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.' Kick It Out chief operating officer Hollie Varney added that the partnership would help educate young people about racism in football.
It remains unclear what specific legal action Millwall is considering, who approved the booklet's content at Westminster Council, and whether the Paul Canoville Foundation was involved in the booklet's creation or approval. The number of copies distributed and the schools that received them have not been disclosed. The full quote from Hollie Varney has not been published.