Closed doors threat angers Millwall

Millwall may have to play a home game behind closed doors next season if their fans are again found guilty of racist behaviour.

The club have been fined £32,500 and threatened with the closure of The Den for one match if their supporters "are found to have used racist behaviour, conduct or language during the 2005/06 season", the Football Association said today.

Millwall are to appeal the charges, which were imposed following an FA investigation into the violence that marred Liverpool's Carling Cup victory at The Den on 27 October last year.

However, former chairman Theo Paphitis said. "The FA has to take a long hard look at themselves. Questions have to be asked about what their motives are because the verdict flies in the face of the evidence. The match officials, the senior match commander from the Metropolitan police, the stewards and Liverpool Football club all said that it did not happen."