Hull City issued warnings to fans inside the MKM Stadium after discriminatory chants were directed towards Chelsea, with arrests made during the FA Cup tie
Chelsea’s victory over Hull City in the FA Cup was marred after discriminatory chanting resulted in supporters being arrested inside the stadium. The Championship side issued warnings through their PA system to halt chants during the first half, whilst messages appeared on screens throughout the venue, after the discriminatory “rent boy” chant was aimed at the Premier League outfit.
Fans at the MKM Stadium were reminded that discriminatory chanting constitutes a criminal offence and CCTV was being monitored throughout the ground. During the second half, further announcements informed supporters that action had been taken, including arrests.
Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic expressed his disappointment at the chants from fans, reaffirming that there is no place for discrimination, reports. He said: “Didn’t hear that. This is not the place for this, in the stadium or in public as well.
“It’s not good, for sure. The stadium is not a place for that and this is the reason why there are arrests.”
READ MORE: Raheem Sterling blocked from Feyenoord training just a day after joining clubREAD MORE: How to watch every FA Cup game on TV this weekend – TV channels and full schedule
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In a statement published in 2023, Chelsea welcomed the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision that classified the term “rent boy” as a homophobic slur and hate crime. It came after the Football Association (FA) marked the chant as a specific rule breach.
“Chelsea Football Club welcomes the FA’s decision to class the homophobic chant directed at our supporters as a breach of FA rules which could lead to disciplinary action being taken,” the statement began.
“This follows the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to class this hugely offensive chant as a hate crime. “The ‘Rent Boy’ chant is intolerable and has no place in football or anywhere else.
“That opposition clubs can now face disciplinary action if their supporters engage in this discriminatory and offensive behaviour is a step in the right direction. Everyone who chooses to participate in this chant must know their actions have consequences.
“Alongside our No To Hate campaign, we will continue to work with the FA, the CPS, opposition clubs, and our own LGBTQI+ supporter group Chelsea Pride in the pursuit of positive change. There is plenty more work to be done, but we won’t rest until football is a game where everyone feels welcome.”
Hull had issued a warning to supporters on Thursday that “chanting of a homophobic, racist or discriminatory nature is entirely unacceptable and will not be tolerated”.
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They cautioned fans that anyone caught engaging in such conduct would face serious consequences, including immediate removal from the ground, a banning order and criminal prosecution.
After Pedro Neto’s goal separated the two teams in the first half, the Portuguese winger added two more strikes in the second to seal his hat-trick, whilst Estevao also got on the scoresheet.
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