GARY ROWETT fears taking the knee is in danger of becoming an “empty” gesture after a number of fans booed when Millwall and Derby players showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Millwall were welcoming supporters back to their ground for the first time since February, with 2,000 in attendance in south London for their first home match since the second lockdown ended.
But their appearance, and Derby’s 1-0 victory, was overshadowed when a section of the crowd chose to boo both sides as players showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement for racial equality.
21 of the 22 players who started the game took the knee with the other, Derby’s Colin Kazim-Richards, raising his fist.
“I’m sat here as a manager disappointed that we’re not talking about the game,” said Rowett.
I think the club have done so many positive things in the community related to anti-discrimination through great initiatives.
“It’s a club that works incredibly hard to enact change and do something about situations we all feel we need to be more proactive on.
“We’re all disappointed we’re having to come in and talk about it.”
However, Rowett revealed his players feel more can be done to tackle discrimination and racism.
He added: “The players have released a statement together and said they don’t support it [taking the knee] as a political message but support anti-discrimination.
Moving forward, like a lot of clubs, they would prefer not to take the knee and actually enact change.
“They want to be proactive rather than it being a gesture, which a lot of clubs are now saying is perhaps empty.
“That’s not my consideration, but they now feel that gesture is in danger of being empty.”
The incident cast a shadow on what should have been a pleasing day for Wayne Rooney, who celebrated his first win as Derby’s interim manager.
Jason Knight’s second-half strike allowed the Rams to record just their second Championship triumph of the campaign, and the first since Rooney took over last month.
But talk after the match was focused around what happened before a ball was even kicked.
I heard it and was very surprised. It’s a sad thing to happen but all I can say is everyone involved at Derby County Football Club has fully backed taking the knee and will continue to do so,” said Rooney.
“It’s a shame because there has been great progress in that campaign and hearing that is very disappointing and upsetting for a lot of people.
“I’m pleased with how my team dealt with that because I’m sure they put it to the back of their minds during the 90 minutes.
“I’m sure it’s something that does need looking at and addressing.
“I could see the team progressing in a very good way coming into the game.
“I’m delighted with the clean sheet, which has been long overdue, and getting the three points was deserved because of all the effort the players are putting in on the training ground and in games.
“It’s really pleasing, gives us something to build on and will give the players great confidence.
“I’m delighted for everyone at the club because it has been a difficult time.”
So in theory once, and if, Ireland have scored four tries they can (kinda) decide who they want to play in the quarter finals (and to eliminate SA from the competition)….. However, that’s not what this team is about. They’ll have the simple goal to beat Scotland off the park.
@Thomas Patton: Technically correct, but great motivation for whichever team was ‘picked’ to be the lesser of two evils
@Brian Donohoe: you’d imagine intentionally losing a world cup game by 20+ PTS would have serious consequences
@Ciaran Kennedy: Yeah. If Scotland score 4 tries against us, we’re not going to be winning a QF
@Kevin Ryan: meanwhile on against the head, Donal Lenihan says that Scotland need 4 tries to progress and nobody corrects him. Punditry sucks.
It is quite simple lads… please just win – dont care how or by how much. My heart would not be able to take the stress of it. The closer it gets the more nervous I feel.
Ireland will be 100% focussed as always , everyone knows their roles and the game plan . The goal is to win against Scotland and then prepare for the next team we are drawn against. That’s it . This being the tougher side of the draw we were always going to have to do this the hard way.
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point.
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out.
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
@Graham Glendinning: Any of those later options will mean a steward’s inquiry
@Graham Glendinning: Corrections.
Note – lreland lose with try bonus, and no Scotland bonus: Ireland through
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point (or 2 Ireland bonus points).
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out (unless try bonus and no Scotland try bonus)
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus for Ireland and Scotland
Would it be better to play France? Unfortunately, I feel we’ve eliminated that opportunity now with our success so far. Maybe Italy could do us a favour…
@Sam Bingham: Why would it be better to play France?
@Kevin Liston: hi Kevin, I’ve used the punctuation known as a question mark to indicate I’m asking a question. You actually nailed it first time in your response buddy, so you should get to grips with it pretty quickly.
@Sam Bingham: did u watch new zealand v italy oh boy
In that final scenario, wouldn’t SA’s better head-to-head have them ahead of Scotland?
@John Dooney: forget that
@John Dooney: ya my head wrecked even reading that post from murray haha
@John Dooney: The odd thing is that in a 3-way tie where each beat one of the others, it is points difference to decide the winner, but head to head for second-third. I think in the Heineken cups it is points difference for all 3.