West Ham United fined £120,000 for homophobic chanting
West Ham United has been fined £120,000 after homophobic chants were made by the club’s fans during a match at Chelsea in February.
West Ham United has been fined £120,000 after homophobic chants were made by the club’s fans during a match at Chelsea in February.
The three-member FA disciplinary commission ruled: “The evidence suggests there was a very significant number of West Ham supporters involved in the homophobic chanting.
“It can properly be categorised as “mass chanting”.
“This conclusion is supported by the fact that the post-match complaint was based on the chanting being clearly audible at the match and the video footage that depicts the chanting clearly and loudly by many West Ham supporters.
“The words used by the offending spectators referenced a negative attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community and a perceived association of that community with Chelsea FC."
The club admitted the charge of misconduct, in relation to abusive, offensive, discriminatory, anti-gay chanting by supporters.
"The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory, abusive and insulting behaviour, and those identified will, in addition to any criminal charges they face, be issued with club bans," the club said.
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