Guilty when proven innocent.

To football supporters everywhere,

"You are probably aware of the FA charge of misconduct for the alleged racist behaviour of Millwall fans in the Carling Cup tie with Liverpool last year. Millwall will appeal but face a fine of 32,500 as well as a suspended sentence of a one-match ground closure. Full details of this absurd charge can be seen here.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2005/06/07/sfnmil07.xml&sSheet=/sport/2005/06/07/ixfooty.html

This verdict has been reached in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Neither the player (Djimi Trarore) supposedly abused, the match officials, representatives of both clubs, the police or stewards on duty observed any such behaviour. Indeed, the whole "case" only arose when some Liverpool supporters later contacted the FA by email.

Enforcement of any of these measures represents a major financial threat to our club: furthermore it will further damage our reputation, an image that so many have tried so hard to repair. It is widely acknowledged that Millwall have done more than most to effectively counter racism and yet are being made to suffer by the highest football power in the land for a crime never committed! It seems that the FA are determined to punish us and any excuse will do - and by using the issue of racism they trivialise and belittle our attempts to combat it. We would like to think that the FA treat all clubs with the same degree of fairness - this decision certainly suggests otherwise, as other bigger, more fashionable clubs don't seem to be treated with such severity.

We would ask you to help us by signing our petition. The FA must not be allowed to get away with bullying us, a small club with limited resources, in this way. And if they do, who next?

Many thanks.