Football Association Charge Of Racism Against Millwall Football Club

EDM number 309 in 2005-06, proposed by Clive Efford on 13/06/2005.

That this House is concerned that the Football Association has found Millwall FC guilty of misconduct at the match against Liverpool FC on 26th October 2004 without any evidence to show that Millwall fans were racist or abusive; notes that the senior match police commander did not report any incidence of racist chanting and that he received no complaint on the night of this kind of abuse; further notes that Rick Parry, Chief Executive of Liverpool FC, wrote to the FA to state that it did not allege any racist chanting took place and that Sir Herman Ousley, Chairman of the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign, commended Millwall during the FA's proceedings for its unparalleled efforts to combat the scourge of racism; further notes that the four match officials did not report hearing any racist chanting from any section of the crowd; is further concerned that footage showing Liverpool fans breaking seats and attempting to attack rival fans has gone unpunished; considers the decision to only charge Millwall sends the message that football violence can be justified as a response to verbal provocation; is further concerned that this verdict was based on complaints from Liverpool fans some time after the event; calls on the Government to raise these concerns with the FA, as this could have major consequences for England supporters travelling to future internationals and for other clubs if they can be charged on this level of evidence; and calls on the FA to reconsider its decision.

This motion has been signed by a total of 21 MPs.