EXCLUSIVE: Self-harm - Millwall fan ban threat if discriminatory chanting continues, warns club’s supporters group
Partial or full closure of stadium threat, say supporters club and fan advisory board in letter posted on club website
By Toby Porter
Lions fans have been warned they could be fully or partially banned from The Den if discriminatory or tragedy chanting continues.
In a letter posted on the club website, the Millwall Supporters Club and the club’s fan advisory board warned any more such taunting could result in charges and “huge financial penalties” against the club, which would affect manager Alex Neil’s player budget.
The club has previously been charged before for both homophobic chants and chants mocking disabled people, directed at other south London clubs.
Millwall FC was fined £45,000 by the Football Association (FA) in March 2026 for discriminatory and abusive chanting referencing a disability during a Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace.
The club faced additional FA charges shortly after for spectator behavior and alleged discriminatory chanting during a fixture against Charlton Athletic.
There has also been a £15,000 fine for homophobic chanting directed at Ben Chilwell and a £10,000 fine for racist chanting directed at Everton fans during an FA Cup match on January 26, 2019.
The letter says: “On occasions we let ourselves down and some amongst us go beyond the humour and banter we’re well known for, crossing the line into discriminatory chanting.
“It results in charges and huge financial penalties that divert money that could otherwise be invested in the team, facilities and supporter experience. With the Charlton charge outcome still to come, any further incident this season risks something far more serious: the possibility of a partial or full stadium closure.
It doesn’t matter whether you think the rules are fair, or the concerns overblown - the football authorities don’t see it that way, and a minority of voices can hand them exactly the excuse they’re looking for. We know they’re looking at us; any further sanctions are likely to be felt by us all, club and fans alike.
“Tragedy chanting has no place either. Think of Mati [Sarkic, Montenegro goalkeeper who died suddenly in 2024 aged 26]. Think of Kenny [Jackett, ex manager who died in June]. Think of John [Berylson, ex chairman who died in a 2023 car crash].
“We would never accept anyone mocking our grief, and we don’t want to be a club that mocks anyone else’s,” the letter adds. “We are better than that.”
It asks fans to speak up if they hear potentially costly chants at The Den this season, with the first home game coming on Saturday, against Norwich.
“If you hear discriminatory chanting, speak up - remind those around you of the consequences for both the club and fellow supporters. Leave these chants behind. No One Likes Us. But We Care About Our Club.”
The full text of the letter is as follows:
“As we get ready for what we all hope will be another fantastic season back at The Den, we want to speak directly and honestly with our fellow supporters.
“We have one of the proudest, most passionate followings in English football. That passion that unites us all and gives the edge to our team is something to protect. But on occasions we let ourselves down and some amongst us go beyond the humour and banter we’re well known for, crossing the line into discriminatory chanting. We’ve had examples of this in recent seasons, aimed at members of the opposition, that have resulted in more than a warning for the club and hurt many of our own supporters and their families.
“Discriminatory chanting does more than hurt those it’s aimed at and the thousands of our fans who see it as unacceptable. It results in charges and huge financial penalties that divert money that could otherwise be invested in the team, facilities and supporter experience. With the Charlton charge outcome still to come, any further incident this season risks something far more serious: the possibility of a partial or full stadium closure.
“This isn’t about lecturing anyone. We’re writing this because we, like you, care passionately about our club and don’t want to see us pay a collective price for the actions of a few. This echoes the club’s own messaging, which regularly reminds us of the responsibilities we hold as not only fans but ambassadors of our club. We’ve seen first-hand the significant work being done to challenge discriminatory behaviour and promote a positive culture, messaging we support and which is vital in protecting the club.
“Some will dismiss certain chants as ‘just banter’. That’s not true, and it’s critical we call it out for what it is.
“The consequences are real, for both those impacted and the club. It doesn’t matter whether you think the rules are fair, or the concerns overblown - the football authorities don’t see it that way, and a minority of voices can hand them exactly the excuse they’re looking for. We know they’re looking at us; any further sanctions are likely to be felt by us all, club and fans alike.
“This must also serve as a wake-up call to everyone who attends Millwall matches. It’s the club. “It’s John’s legacy for the Berylson family. It’s James Berylson in particular, who continues to invest his time, money and energy because he believes in Millwall and its supporters. It’s the staff building this club’s reputation both on and off the pitch, Alex Neil, his staff, the players - and every supporter who had nothing to do with it but will suffer any collective punishment.
“Discriminatory chanting of any kind, aimed at anyone, is not acceptable - many of our own supporters and their families will feel the harsh reality of those words. The club has been charged before for both homophobic chants and chants mocking disabled people, directed at other south London clubs. That’s the reality we’re already living with, and it’s exactly why this matters now.
“Tragedy chanting has no place either. Think of Mati. Think of Kenny. Think of John. We would never accept anyone mocking our grief, and we don’t want to be a club that mocks anyone else’s. We are better than that, and we know that with our collective wit on the terraces, we can do better.
“Have that conversation before kick-off, especially with younger fans. If you hear discriminatory chanting, speak up - remind those around you of the consequences for both the club and fellow supporters. Teach the next generation what we stand for, the pride and passion we hold dearly - and don’t give the authorities any excuse.
“Support Millwall. Support the team. Support each other. Leave these chants behind.
Protecting Millwall isn’t just the Club’s responsibility. It’s all of ours.
“No One Likes Us. But We Care About Our Club.”