Three supporters banned for at least 3 years in club's own disciplinary action

FA says Hull City failed to manage fans and prevent offensive conduct

Club condemns chant in 'strongest possible terms,' calls it potential hate crime

Hull City website capture
Hull City website capture

Hull City have been fined 30,000 pounds ($38,000) after home supporters sang a homophobic chant during an FA Cup match.

According to the BBC, the Football Association imposed the fine over a chant heard at MKM Stadium during an FA Cup match in February.

Hull City lost the match 4-0 to Chelsea. During the game, some home supporters sang a homophobic chant. In-stadium announcements and scoreboard messages urged fans to stop, but the chanting continued.

The FA referred Hull City to a disciplinary commission, saying the club had failed "to ensure that spectators and supporters refrain from conduct that is improper, offensive, indecent or obscene, including any reference, whether express or implied, to sexual orientation."

Hull City accepted the charge and agreed to pay the fine. The club also handed bans of at least three years to three supporters identified as having led the chanting.

In a statement, the club said it "condemns in the strongest possible terms the offensive and inappropriate language used by supporters," adding that the chant "constitutes recognized homophobic language." The club also said the conduct "may constitute a hate crime."

Hull City warned that those who use the chant could face criminal prosecution, and told supporters that "hate speech of any kind will not be tolerated or overlooked under any circumstances."


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