Tottenham Hotspur have condemned supporters who sang a homophobic chant during their Premier League game against Manchester United on Sunday.
The chant was heard from the Tottenham fans’ section at Old Trafford towards the end of the first half of the game, when former Chelsea player Mason Mount was introduced for the injured Kobbie Mainoo.
The “Chelsea rent boy” chant, a homophobic slur aimed at the west London club’s current and former players and fans, has been heard regularly at Premier League games but its use has seen clubs fined and police take action in recent years.
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In January 2023, the FA added homophobic chanting to its list of rule breaches and said it can pursue action against clubs whose supporters use them at matches. In 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that it considered the term a homophobic slur and therefore a hate crime.
“The club is aware of abhorrent homophobic chanting from sections of our away support at Old Trafford today,” a Tottenham statement read.
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“This is simply unacceptable, hugely offensive and no way to show support for the team.
“The club will be working closely with the police and stewards to identify anyone instigating or joining in with the chanting — we shall take the strongest possible action in accordance with our sanctions and banning policy.”
Tottenham won the match 3-0 thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke.
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(Carl Recine/Getty Images)
