Sheffield Wednesday’s head coach has spoken of how large numbers of Wednesday fans had written to the club to express their disapproval of the actions of some supporters in the stadium.
Last Saturday at the Sheffield Wednesday Vs Shrewsbury Town game, the visiting players gathered at the centre circle before taking the knee, prompting loud audible booing at Hillsborough.
Darren Moore said: “Obviously it was disappointing to hear that at the time because what we have to remember is that the taking of the knee is a stance for everybody.”
He added: “It’s an equality purpose driven message worldwide. It’s not something that was dreamt up by the Shrewsbury players.”
However, the Owls boss recognised that there had been confusion surrounding the Shrewsbury players taking the knee.
He said: ” I appreciate there was a bit of confusion about how it happened, the players lining up and what looked like a delayed taking of the knee. I can understand the confusion in that and how some of the fans may have seen it.”
One Sheffield Wednesday fan who was quick to condemn the act of the booing also spoke of the confusion surrounding what was happening.
The fan said: “it looked like the Shrewsbury players had lined up to do a minute’s silence, but we didn’t hear any announcement what it was for. And then they lined up almost like they were going to do the Haka.”
The Wednesday fan who sits on the Kop has spoken how the culture in the stands has changed for the better over the years.
They said: “It’s been many, many years since I’ve heard anybody sort of jump to the feet and say anything racist.
“I would expect if anybody got on their feet and sort of shout racist abuse, they would get challenged.”
On Twitter, Jon Gill slammed the behaviour of some Wednesday fans and said: “Booing the knee is racist and never justified.”
Moore also spoke about the reputational damage the booing can cause.
He said: “We are a fantastic football club and we want to be remembered for the positive things we are. We don’t want to be remembered for a section of our fans booing taking the knee for five or six seconds.”
He added: “Equality is for all, you and I. It’s right across the board; skin colour, nationality, religion, it’s for everybody.”
