Hull City have been fined £30,000 by the Football Association and banned three supporters for discriminatory chanting during their FA Cup tie against Chelsea earlier this year. The governing body charged the club with failing to ensure fans did not behave in an improper or offensive way with reference to sexual orientation during the 4-0 defeat at the MKM Stadium in February.
Hull City accepted the charge and the resulting fine. The club also confirmed that three individuals have been banned from attending matches for a minimum of three years, with three other people arrested at the game for allegedly engaging in homophobic chanting. "Hull City condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the offensive and inappropriate language used by the supporters responsible," the club said in a statement.
Warnings and condemnation
During the match, stadium officials repeatedly issued warnings over the public address system and displayed messages on screens urging spectators to stop the chants. The club stated that the specific chant is recognised as a homophobic slur and its use may constitute a hate crime. One supporter group described the incident as a 'stain on our game'.
With Chelsea set to host Hull City again in the Premier League this Saturday, the Tigers have issued a fresh warning to their travelling fans. "Ahead of Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge, the club reminds all supporters that discrimination of any kind is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated," the statement added. The club warned that those using the chant face arrest and potential criminal charges.
Chelsea's current form
Chelsea go into the weekend fixture sitting fourth in the Premier League with six points from three games, just three points behind leaders Manchester City. Their recent form is strong, with four wins in their last five matches, including a 6-3 victory over Leeds United last time out. The Blues will be without the injured Jordan Henderson, Marco Palestra and Moisés Caicedo for the match.
The match at Stamford Bridge kicks off on Saturday, with Hull City currently third in the table, setting up a significant early-season encounter between two top-four sides.
