Millwall Football Club is considering legal action after Westminster City Council used the club's badge on a depiction of a Ku Klux Klan member in a children's anti-racism booklet.
The illustration, part of a primary school educational resource about former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville, showed a hooded figure in white robes bearing Millwall's crest. The image was placed next to a photograph of Canoville, with a speech bubble quoting him: "Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall, but then I could show the racists my 1984 2nd Division Champions medal!"
Westminster City Council has apologized, calling the use of the logo "insensitive" and confirming the booklet has been withdrawn. "We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within football," a council spokesperson said. "The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn't happen again."
In a statement on X, the official supporters' club noted that Millwall views the incident as a "serious misuse of a registered club badge," creating a "false and damaging image of the club." The club added that remaining copies will be destroyed and no further distribution will occur. "The club is still considering its legal position on the matter and are unable to comment further," Millwall said.
The Paul Canoville Foundation distanced itself from the booklet, stating it had no role in creating or approving the material. "Our involvement in the associated programme was limited solely to Paul's personal appearance; meeting students and sharing his lived experience," CEO Raphael Frascogna said. He noted that the illustration referenced a real incident in the 1980s when Canoville faced racial abuse from individuals wearing KKK-style hoods during a reserve match.
Canoville, now 64, played for Chelsea from 1981 to 1986, scoring 15 goals in 103 appearances before retiring due to a knee injury.
Millwall currently sits third in the Championship, level on points with second-placed Ipswich Town.