MILLWALL has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over the "racist" behaviour of its supporters.

The charge relates to the Carling Cup match against Liverpool, in October, where Lions' fans are alleged to have racially abused French defender Djimi Traore.

Millwall is the first club to be handed an FA punishment for racism but supporters' groups are outraged.

Lions' Trust chairman Bob Asprey says the club and its fans have been unfairly treated.

He claims the booing of Traore followed a bad foul on Millwall midfielder Marvin Elliott and was not racially motivated.

He said: "These charges are absolutely ridiculous. As far as I know, there was no racist chanting on the night, just the booing of a player who committed a bad foul, who happened to be black.

"Millwall is the first club to prosecute for racism.

"We have taken it more seriously than any other club in recent years and have four or five black players in our squad.

"The charge is vague and unfounded. It's a total farce."

Both Liverpool and Millwall have been charged over crowd trouble at the match at The Den on October 26, which the Merseyside club won 3-0.

Fans ripped up and hurled more than 70 seats at police and missiles were thrown onto the pitch.

However, only Millwall has been hit with the more serious charge, of "failing to ensure fans refrained from racist and/or abusive behaviour".

Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis has described the charges as "ridiculous".

He also accused the FA of trying to score points, at a time when stamping out racism in football is high on the agenda.

Both clubs have until December 23 to respond to the charges.