Millwall Football Club has found itself at the center of a heated controversy following the unauthorized use of its club badge in a children's educational booklet, which depicted a cartoon figure dressed in Ku Klux Klan-style robes emblazoned with the Millwall crest. The booklet, distributed in primary schools as part of an anti-racism program, was intended to tell the story of Paul Canoville, Chelsea FC's first black player, and highlight the challenges he faced during his career. Instead, it sparked outrage and prompted Millwall to consider legal action, while raising broader questions about sensitivity and accuracy in educational materials.
The incident came to light on April 24, 2026, when Millwall FC publicly condemned the "serious misuse" of its registered badge, describing the illustration as creating a "false and damaging image of the club." According to BBC, the club's statement emphasized that the depiction was misleading, associating Millwall with the US-based white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan. The illustration showed a cartoon character in white robes and a pointed hood—iconography synonymous with the KKK—bearing Millwall's logo on its chest. This image appeared alongside a photograph of Paul 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, which produced the booklet through its education officer Peter Daniel, swiftly issued a full apology to Millwall FC. The council admitted the image was "insensitive" and confirmed that all remaining copies would be destroyed, with no further distribution planned. A council spokesperson told Daily Mail Sport, "We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the problem of racism within football. We have apologised to Millwall Football Club for the improper use of their logo and for any offence caused. The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn't happen again."
The controversy did not end with the council's apology. Millwall Supporters' Club shared the club's official response on social media, reiterating that the "serious misuse of a registered club badge" had created a "false and damaging image." The club confirmed it was evaluating its legal options, though it declined to comment further while this process was ongoing. According to BBC and The Athletic, the club is still considering its legal position and has not ruled out pursuing action against those responsible for the booklet's production and distribution.
The Paul Canoville Foundation, whose logo also appeared on the leaflet, moved quickly to distance itself from the booklet's content. Raphael Frascogna, the foundation's chief executive officer, released a statement clarifying, "We wish to be unequivocal: this booklet was not produced by, commissioned by, or approved by The Paul Canoville Foundation or our founder, Paul Canoville. Our involvement in the associated programme was limited solely to Paul's personal appearance; meeting students and sharing his lived experience. At no stage were we shown, consulted on, or asked to approve the content of the booklet, including any illustrations within it."
The origins of the controversial illustration trace back to a real, painful episode in Paul Canoville's career. In the 1980s, while playing for Chelsea reserves against Millwall reserves, Canoville was subjected to severe racial abuse by individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods. Frascogna acknowledged that the illustration was based on this incident, but the foundation stressed that the actual event did not involve Millwall's club badge. According to The Athletic, the foundation stated that while the imagery was "not factually accurate," it was "in the spirit of what happened." Canoville himself had previously described the incident in his autobiography, "Black and Blue," recalling how three fans on the sidelines wore KKK hoods and hurled racist abuse at him, but without any club insignia.
Paul Canoville's story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. Joining Chelsea in 1981, he broke barriers as the club's first black player and played a key role in their Second Division title win during the 1983-84 season, scoring 15 goals in 103 appearances before a knee injury forced his retirement at just 25. He later became a Chelsea club ambassador and founded the Paul Canoville Foundation in 2015 to support young people facing adversity. His experience of racial abuse—both from rival fans and, at times, his own club's supporters—has made him a prominent advocate for anti-racism in football.
The pamphlet's creation and distribution have raised serious questions about the vetting of educational materials, particularly when dealing with sensitive issues like racism. The booklet, which included logos of Westminster City Council, Kensington and Chelsea council, and the Paul Canoville Foundation, was written by Peter Daniel, an education and interpretation officer at Westminster City Council. Another image said to be the front cover of the pamphlet included spaces for children to write their name and class, further underscoring its intended use in schools. According to BBC, Kensington and Chelsea council also supported the decision to withdraw the booklet, stating, "We understand the booklet is being withdrawn, and support that decision."
In the wake of the incident, Westminster City Council has committed to reviewing its processes to prevent similar missteps in the future. The council spokesperson emphasized, "The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn't happen again." The episode has also sparked a wider conversation about how football clubs and educational authorities can work together to address racism without inadvertently perpetuating harmful stereotypes or misrepresenting organizations.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Millwall continues to perform strongly in the Championship. As of April 24, 2026, the club sits third in the standings, level on points with second-placed Ipswich, who currently occupy one of the automatic promotion spots. Despite the off-field controversy, Millwall's players and supporters remain focused on their pursuit of promotion—a reminder that, while the club grapples with reputational challenges, the football itself goes on.
The controversy over the anti-racism booklet serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of accuracy, consultation, and sensitivity when tackling complex social issues. As Millwall weighs its legal options and the councils involved review their procedures, the episode has highlighted both the progress made and the work still to be done in confronting racism in football and beyond.