Millwall is apologized for using the club badge in its anti-racism booklet

Promotion chaser Millwall has received an apology from Westminster Council after the club’s badge was used in an illustration of a white supremacist in a children’s anti-racism booklet distributed to primary schools.

Millwall’s Supporters’ Club said further X that legal action was still being considered following a ‘serious misuse’ of the registered rampant lion badge, saying it created a false and damaging image of the club.

“The council has confirmed that no further copies will be made or distributed of the club logo image and that any remaining material in their possession will be destroyed,” said a statement on ‌ X said.

“The club is still considering its legal position on this matter and cannot comment further.”

The Westminster Council booklet highlighted the career of Paul Canoville, the first black player to play for Chelsea.

The image of the white supremacist, who wears a white Ku Klux Klan-style hood and robe decorated with the club’s emblem, is placed next to a photo of Canoville, which has a speech bubble that reads: «Racism never went away. I was badly beaten in a reserves match at Millwall but then I was able to show the racists my 1984 2nd Division Champions medal!»

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In its apology, Westminster Council said it accepted that the use of the image was “an insensitive way of illustrating the historic problem of racism within football.”

“The booklet has been withdrawn from circulation and we are reviewing processes to ensure this does not happen again,” it said in a statement.

The ‌Paul Canoville Foundation issued a statement saying it was not involved in the commissioning or production of the booklet, although the former Chelsea player did appear in person to meet students as part of the associated programme.

“We understand that the illustration in question is a depiction of a real incident that Paul experienced whilst playing for Chelsea Reserves against Millwall Reserves in the 1980s, where he was subjected to severe racist abuse by a number of individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods,” the statement said.

“This was one of many incidents of racist abuse that Paul has experienced throughout his career, incidents that form the basis of the educational and cultural work that the Foundation aims to promote.”

The foundation added that it is not in a position to stand up for the editorial decisions of other parties.

South London club Millwall are pushing for promotion to the top flight for the first time since 1990 and are in third place with two games to go.

Published on April 24, 2026