The English Football Association (FA) has announced that it would investigate the alleged homophobic chants during Sunday’s match between Chelsea and Manchester City.
The homophobic chants were heard towards the end of the third-round match at Etihad Stadium, which ended 4-0 in favour of Manchester City.
Reacting to the chants, the FA said in a statement;
“We continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, as well as the UK Football Policing Unit, in relation to the use of this term.
“Part of our work in this area has been to provide the relevant authorities with impact statements from LGBTQ+ supporters, detailing how chants of this nature affects their experience and feeling of inclusion at football matches, so that a clearer stance and understanding on the chant can be established.
“We stand firmly against all forms of discrimination and we are striving to ensure our game is a safe environment for all, which truly embraces diversity and challenges hateful conduct both on and off the pitch.”
This is not the first time homophobic chants have been heard during an FA Cup match in the past week. It was also heard during Manchester United’s 3-1 win against Everton at Old Trafford on Friday.
