The return of football fans to grounds in England has been largely a welcome sight.
However, one downside has been the hostile reaction by a small but vocal minority by the fans of some clubs to players taking a knee before the start of games in support or the Black Lives Matter movement.
International headlines around the world were generated last weekend when Millwall fans booed their own team and their opponents Derby County when both sets of players knelt before the start of their Championship match.
And the same thing happened at League Two Colchester United.
Colchester, though, have decided to act. They have been using CCTV to try and identify supporters who jeer the pre-match gesture. They have also been collecting witness statements to try and single out the instigator of the protests.
Robbie Cowling, who is their chairman, decided to take a zero-tolerance approach following their match, which was marred by the booing of the players. He has also told fellow supporters that they cannot stay silent and if they endorse the protests, then they wouldn’t be allowed at the club.
He added the club would be willing to pay the fans their money back for those who do not agree with the practice of the players kneeling before games.
The hunt for the perpetrators continues, with Cowling promising that they face lifetime bans from attending Colchester matches.
Millwall were also at home against London neighbours Queens Park Rangers during the week, but, in order to ensure there is no repeat showing, their players chose to stand with defender Mahlon Romeo, who raised a fist even as QPR took the knee.
Both sets of players also stood behind a banner calling for equality.
Now it remains to be seen whether there is a repeat of fan protests during this weekends matches. There have not been any protests in games involving Premier League clubs yet.
