By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Hull City AFC have been fined £30,000 (around €35,000) by the English Football Association (FA) over discriminatory chanting during their 4-0 defeat by Chelsea FC in an FA Cup match in February this year.
Also, three supporters have been banned for three years by the FA for homophobic chanting, which has been condemned by fans as a "stain on our game".
The FA stated that Hull City AFC had been charged and fined for failing "to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters) do not use words or behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, indecent or insulting way with a reference - whether express or implied - to sexual orientation".
Hull City accepted the fine and stated that:
"Hull City condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the offensive and inappropriate language used by the supporters responsible," the club said, saying the "chant in question is recognised as a homophobic slur and its use may constitute a hate crime.”
And added that:
“…. the club reminds all supporters that discrimination of any kind is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated."
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