Football ‘still has a lot of work to do’ after homophobic chants from Manchester United fans were heard at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils were playing Chelsea in the Premier League, and the game ended 1-1 thanks to Casemiro‘s last-gasp equalizer, earning Erik ten Hag‘s side a point.
Following the audible homophobic chanting from Manchester United supporters, Potter stated that there is still plenty to be done in football.
Homephobic abuse has been classified by the Crown Prosecution Service as a hate crime, enabling the Football Association to take disciplinary action against clubs. This is in line with the Premier League’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign.
“Part of our work in this area has been to provide the relevant authorities with impact statements from LGBTQ+ supporters, detailing how chants of this nature affects their experience and feeling of inclusion at football matches, so that a clearer
stance and understanding on the chant can be established…” The FA indicated in a statement.
When asked about the chanting from the United supporters, Ten Hag responded:
“It doesn’t belong in the stands, I mean the whole stadium. “I think when Rapha Varane came (off) it was the same on the other side with the Chelsea fans, so don’t do it.”
They were also noted by the head coach of Chelsea, Graham Potter, who said:“Clearly we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”
Meanwhile a statement on the Chelsea Football club website said:
“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour totally unacceptable and we condemn the language used by some individuals today at Stamford Bridge. “We are proud to be supporting Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign and today acts as proof that we must do more to make football a game for everyone.
“This year we are educating, celebrating, communicating and motivating allyship and action for our players, employees, fans and society.”
