Millwall FC has been sanctioned by an independent Regulatory Commission for violating FA Rule E21 in their League Cup match against Crystal Palace on September 16.
Following the incident, the club received a £45,000 fine, a revised action plan, and a written warning.
The Football Association charged Millwall with failing to guarantee that their supporters behaved responsibly between the 11th and 80th minutes of the match. Some spectators were accused of engaging in improper, rude, or abusive behavior, including disability-related discrimination.
Millwall claimed responsibility for the 11th-minute incident but denied the 80th-minute charge. After analyzing the issue, the Regulatory Commission ruled the club responsible only for the prior event.
During the hearing, the FA encouraged the commission to consider partial or full stadium closure as punishment, arguing that anything less would not adequately reflect the gravity of recurrent Rule E21 violations or serve as a strong enough deterrent against discriminatory behavior by supporters.
While the commission accepted that this was Millwall’s third violation of the law, it finally chose not to close the stadium. Instead, it acknowledged the club’s mitigation measures, including work completed under its earlier action plan and commitments made under the upgraded version.
In reaction to the verdict, Millwall issued a statement stating their acceptance of the penalty imposed.
The club acknowledged the FA’s decision to impose a £45,000 punishment and prolong the existing action plan following the breaking of FA Rule E21 during the Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace on September 16, 2025.
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