The Liverpool stadium announcer has been forced to issue a warning to fans that homophobic chanting is a criminal offence.
It comes after such chanting was reported during Chelsea’s trip to Anfield to take on the Reds. Authorities are increasingly trying to clamp down on homophobic songs as they fight for a more inclusive sport. The announcement comes just weeks after Nottingham Forest investigated alleged chants during their game with the Blues at the City Ground and United supporters aimed a homophobic Chelsea chant at Frank Lampard.
Liverpool themselves have made efforts to combat such issues, which are being regularly highlighted in sport and society. Jurgen Klopp wrote in his programme notes before the Chelsea clash to thank the supporters for making Anfield more inclusive.
He said: “With Chelsea being our opponents, it makes sense that I also show gratitude to our supporters for the work they have done in stopping a chant which does not fit in with the traits of our city, our club or our people. I will not refer to it by name in this column because I think the less we can hear about it and see it the better but the really, really positive thing is that fans have come together to try to make it a thing of the past.
“We can already feel the effects of this. Positive steps have been made and hopefully, this will allow our supporters from the LGBT+ community to feel as welcome as they should. This was the message I received when I spoke with Paul Amann from Kop Outs a couple of years ago.
“He just wanted the chant to stop so that our all our fans could feel more welcome. I did not think it was too much of an ask then and I do not think it is too much of an ask now so it is good to see the support Kop Outs are receiving. Hopefully, this will carry on not only today but also in the future.”
The FA have recently made clubs aware that they will charge clubs if fans engage in homophobic chanting. Unsavoury terms and songs have been heard at several stadiums around the country with the term “rent boy” highlighted as an example that will not be tolerated.
An FA statement said earlier this month: “Today, the FA has formally written to all clubs across the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and Steps 2-4, to remind them that it can pursue formal disciplinary action against any club whose supporters engage in discriminatory behaviour, now including the use of the term ‘rent boy’.
“This important step follows the recent successful prosecution of an individual by the Crown Prosecution Service for homophobic abuse, specifically relating to the term ‘rent boy’.
“The FA has now informed all clubs that it considers the ‘rent boy’ chant to be a breach of the FA rules. These rules apply to the conduct of supporters at both home and away fixtures, and clubs at all levels of English football have a responsibility to ensure their spectators behave appropriately when attending matches.”
