Millwall anger at Westminster Council over image of KKK member in children's booklet

Millwall are furious with the use of their club badge in a booklet printed as part of an anti-racism scheme

Millwall are considering legal action against Westminster Council after their club badge was placed on a Ku Klux Klan member in a children’s education booklet distributed in schools across London.

The image appeared in ‘The Paul Canoville Story’, a booklet written by Peter Daniel, who is an education and interpretation officer for Westminster City Council.

Canoville, who was the first black player to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea in 1982, endured racist abuse throughout his career, even fromsupporters of his own team.

The booklet about Canoville’s career has been issued in schools as part of an anti-racism scheme run by Westminster Council.

However, page 20 of the booklet shows a KKK figure with Millwall’s crest on their white outfit next to an image of Canoville and a speech bubble which read: ‘Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall, but then I could show the racists my 1984 second Division Champions medal.’

Millwall’s badge was used on a picture of a KKK member

A source at Millwall told Metro that the club are furious with the image and are seeking an explanation from Westminster Council as to how it became approved for publication.

Millwall, who still remain in with a chance of securing automatic promotion to the Premier League this season, have worked tirelessly to improve the club’s image from the 1970s and 80s and have won multiple awards from the EFL in recent seasons in recognition of their matchday experience for families.

Last month, Millwall’s community trust also won Community Project of the Year at the London Football Awards for their work with young people offering tailored careers advice, employability training and pathways into work.

‘The Paul Canoville Story’ was distributed across schools in London

A spokesperson for Millwall said: ‘The club has received a full apology from Westminster Council following their serious misuse of a registered club badge, which was placed on an illustration of a white supremacist hate group member in a children’s education booklet distributed in schools, creating a false and damaging image of the club.

‘The council have confirmed 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 club is still considering its legal position on the matter and are unable to comment further.’

A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: ‘We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the historic 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 booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again.’