Chelsea
have promised to ban any Manchester United supporters who are identified as
having made homophobic and biphobic chants during Monday night's match,
which United won 2-0.
The Football Association has confirmed they will not be investigating the
matter, although they insist they take the allegations extremely seriously
and remain in regular, ongoing discussions with the Police, Kick It Out and
Crown Prosecution Service on what language is deemed discriminatory.
Chelsea released a statement in relation to the chants made on Monday night
in which they promised to "always take firm action against all forms of
discriminatory behaviour".
"At last night's match a large group of Manchester United supporters made
unacceptable homophobic chants," read the statement.
"A number of these away supporters were prevented from entering the stadium
and others were ejected during the game.
"This behaviour will not be tolerated at Chelsea Football Club. Those
supporters will be banned from attending matches at Stamford Bridge in
future, and in co-operation with Manchester United, we have passed the
details of those supporters to them so they can take appropriate action.
"Chelsea Football Club is a diverse and inclusive club and will always take
firm action against all forms of discriminatory behaviour."
Manchester United also commented on the chants at Stamford Bridge.
"Our fans were vocal as always in their support for the team last night and
we appreciate that loyal backing. However, this song directed against
Chelsea FC - or any other club - by some of our fans runs counter to our
values," they wrote in a statement.
Kick It Out released a statement following reports of homophobic chanting by
West Ham fans during their victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in
December.
A statement from Kick It Out after that game read: "We have informed the FA,
and reiterate our message: the 'Rent Boy' chant is homophobic and must be
treated as such."
Speaking to Sky Sports News on Tuesday, Stonewall's director of sport Robbie
de Santos stressed there needs to be greater awareness around what the term
'rent boy' actually means.
De Santos said: "[With] this particular chant a lot of people say that they
don't understand what is meant by the chant.
"That doesn't make it excusable but it shows that part of the solutions to
stopping this chant is to make sure that people understand what the
implications of the word rent boy actually mean.
"To understand that it is homophobic and biphobic and to make sure that they
remember that if they are even thinking about joining in.
"It is really important that we continue to see action against these chants.
"It comes down to steward training and making sure that all of those staff
that are involved in live sport events are really clear and confident that
anti-LGBT language has no place in football or any other sport. It needs to
be treated just as severely as any other form of discrimination."
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