07 February 2024 , 13:57
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The Football Association have launched an investigation after six fans were arrested for homophobic chanting during Chelsea's win over Preston last month, Mirror Football can reveal.
The Championship side travelled to Stamford Bridge for the FA Cup third round clash at the start of January. But the Blues' dominant 4-0 win was marred by the use of the 'Chelsea Rent Boy' chant by Preston supporters.
The chant was classified as a homophobic hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service at the start of 2022. A Liverpool fan was fined £500 and denied entry to the 2022 FA Cup final after being caught singing the chant.
The FA has the ability to charge and sanction clubs if their supporters are heard chanting homophobic songs. Despite that, the chant has continued to be heard, most recently during Chelsea's win over Preston.
And Mirror Football can now exclusively reveal that the FA have launched an investigation into that incident, which remains ongoing. If that investigation results in Preston being charged and found guilty, the Championship side face a huge fine.
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Wolves became the first club to be fined for homophobic chanting last July, with Leeds also sanctioned a month later for the same offence. Both clubs were also placed into an action plan to deal with homophobic abuse by the commission which rendered the judgements.
The news of the FA's investigation comes after Preston confirmed six supporters had been arrested specifically for homophobic chanting at Stamford Bridge. The Championship club warned they would continue to take "serious action" against abusive fans.
The incident came during Chelsea's win over Preston in the FA Cup last month (Getty Images)"In recent months, the club have been forced to take serious action against supporters who have been found guilty of such behaviour, and as a result two fans have received bans from the club, while three other supporters have been issued court-ordered bans," a statement read.
"At the recent FA Cup match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, nine fans were arrested – six of those for homophobic chanting – and a young home fan had their hat and scarf stolen. Witnesses are being welcomed to contact the club regarding this matter.
"Supporters are invited to browse the club’s Banning & Sanctions Policy, which outlines possible sanctions for any breaches of ground regulations. As always, the club hopes sanctions will not need to be taken against supporters, however they are essential in reiterating the zero-tolerance approach to such behaviour."
Chelsea's LGBT+ supporters group Chelsea Pride have welcomed the news of the FA's investigation, which comes at the start of FootballvHomophobia's Month of Action. The group insisted that a stand needs to be taken to stamp homophobia out of the game.
"We welcome The FA investigation regarding the the homophobic chanting from Preston fans at our FA Cup match last month. Enough is enough, this chant does not just affect Chelsea fans but more widely the LGBTQ+ football community up and down the country," the group said in a statement to Mirror Football.
"No fan should hear homophobia, biphobia or transphobia in football or anywhere else. As we are in FootballvHomophobia's month of action, let's take a stand collectively to ensure that stadiums are spaces of acceptance and respect for all."