MILLWALL has been sanctioned by an independent Regulatory Commission for violating FA Rule E21 during its League Cup match against Crystal Palace on September 16.

The Lions have been fined £45,000, assigned an activity plan, and issued a warning.

The Football Association’s website alleges: “that around the 11th and/or 80th minutes of the match, Millwall FC failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) did not behave in an improper, offensive and/or abusive way; and that the club failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters did not conduct themselves in a discriminatory manner which included a reference – whether expressed or implied – to disability.”

The club accepted the charge for the eleventh minute but refused the charge for the 80th minute. The commission sanctioned Millwall for the charge in the eleventh minute.

According to the stated reasons, the FA requested that the panel “impose either a partial or full stadium closure.” The Football Association argues that anything less “would fail to adequately address the seriousness of the Club’s repeated breaches of FA Rule E 21 or serve as a sufficient deterrent in respect of discriminatory behaviour by supporters/spectators” .

The commission recognized that this was the club’s third violation of regulation E21, but did not believe a partial or whole stadium closure would be appropriate, stating “the mitigation that is offered by Millwall’s work to date in seeking to meet the original Action Plan and the enhanced Action Plan.”

The written justifications are available in full here.

Millwall issued the following statement to acknowledge the sanctions.

Millwall Football Club acknowledges the Football Association’s decision to impose a £45,000 fine and an extension to the FA Action Plan for a violation of FA Rule E21 during the Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

The punishments were given for using a chant that included the phrase ‘South London Spastics’. The phrase ‘Spastic’ is disparaging and discriminatory, and it has the effect of making people with disabilities feel targeted and unwanted.

This chant contradicts everything the club stands for and is strongly rejected. The club has a zero-tolerance policy for any type of discriminatory abuse; such behavior has no place in society. Any person found to be involved in such abuse will be blacklisted.

The club understands that the vast majority of its fans embrace its anti-discrimination beliefs, and it is sorry that a small minority has once again undercut this. Any future financial penalties would be substantially more severe, and additional action might be taken against the club and our fans to punish the majority.

The club’s efforts under its dedicated campaign, All ‘Wall, are vital for everyone involved with Millwall Football Club.

This approach will be strengthened further by collaborating closely with supporter organizations, the Millwall Community Trust, and necessary authorities to ensure the club is an inclusive environment for all.

Supporters are invited to report any discriminatory behaviour they witness or hear on matchdays to the Club’s dedicated Hear Hate, Don’t Hesitate helpline. Text HATE to 66777 to report such behaviour anonymously.

We are all wall.

Crystal Palace took the lead in the 72nd minute through Chris Richards, but Ryan Leonard equalised in the 91st minute to take the game to penalties.

The Eagles won the shootout 4–2.