July 14, (THEWILL) – Wolverhampton Wanderers have become the first club to face sanctions from the England Football Association solely for the homophobic chant of “Chelsea rent boy” by their fans.
The English Premier League side has been handed a substantial six-figure fine and an 11-point action plan by the FA after supporters engaged in the derogatory chant during a match against Chelsea in April. This comes after the FA explicitly stated in January that clubs could face disciplinary action for their fans’ discriminatory behaviour, including the use of the term “rent boy”.
Wolves have accepted the breaches and the imposed action plan, which includes measures such as improving steward management, implementing educational programmes, and launching a zero-tolerance media campaign. An Independent Regulatory Commission highlighted several shortcomings in Wolves’ response to the homophobic chanting leading to a significant fine and action plan. The Commission criticised the club’s initial public announcement made ten minutes after the chanting, deeming it “weak,” and also highlighted the lack of reaction from matchday stewards.
While acknowledging the positive post-match response from Wolves, the Commission emphasised a clear and significant breakdown in effectively addressing the issue as per the FA’s statement. The club’s official website response stated their commitment to promoting inclusivity in football and society, as well as tackling discriminatory abuse both inside stadiums and online. Wolves will strive to ensure the game fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and safe supporting or playing their favourite team.
Additionally, an FA compliance officer will be present at Wolves’ next home game against Chelsea, scheduled for December 23. These measures aim to address the rising incidents of hate crime involving sexual orientation during matches in England and Wales, with a significant increase of 186% reported during the 2021/2022 season compared to 2018/2019.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
