Manchester United have warned fans that they face ‘serious consequences’ if they are involved with discriminatory chanting against Chelsea this weekend.
The Red Devils host the Blues on Saturday evening in the Premier League, with Ruben Amorim desperate to turn around a very disappointing start to the season.
Manchester United will hope to have their fans roaring them on at Old Trafford, but have reminded supporters that discriminatory chanting is unacceptable.
The club has specifically noted that they ‘are aware of the use of the “rent boy” chant that has been heard at fixtures involving Chelsea in recent years.’
They have made it clear to fans that it is an offensive chant and has been classed as a hate crime by the FA and CPS.
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Punishments for discriminatory chanting include banning orders of three years and criminal charges and the club has called on other fans to report fellow supporters who are engaging in offensive chants.
The game between Manchester United and Chelsea kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday at Old Trafford.
Man Utd statement on discriminatory chanting
As we prepare to welcome Chelsea FC to Old Trafford this weekend, Manchester United would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that Old Trafford remains a place where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.
We are aware of the use of the “rent boy” chant that has been heard at fixtures involving Chelsea in recent years. We want to be absolutely clear: this chant is offensive, inappropriate and has no place at our stadium or within our game.
The Football Association and the Crown Prosecution Service have both confirmed that the chant is considered discriminatory and is classed as a hate crime.
As such, supporters who engage in this behaviour risk serious consequences, including ejection from the stadium, banning orders, and potential criminal charges. Within the club’s Official Club Sanctioning Document, this behaviour is identified as a Level 4(c) Offence and carries a three-year suspension.
Manchester United is proud to be a diverse and inclusive club, with a global fanbase that reflects communities from every background, faith and orientation. Our All Red All Equal campaign and our partnership with fan groups, including Rainbow Devils, underline our belief that football should be a welcoming environment for everyone.
We call on our supporters to uphold the values of our club by avoiding language and behaviour that causes harm or offence. We encourage fans to challenge this chant and any other discriminatory behaviour, and instead channel passion into positive support for the team.
We remind fans that they can report abuse or discrimination by texting HELP to 66777 while inside the stadium, or by reporting via Kick It Out.
Chelsea issued a statement on the ‘rent boy’ chant in January 2023 when the FA confirmed that it breached their rules.
The statement read: ‘Chelsea Football Club welcomes the FA’s decision to class the homophobic chant directed at our supporters as a breach of FA rules which could lead to disciplinary action being taken. This follows the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to class this hugely offensive chant as a hate crime.
‘The “Rent Boy” chant is intolerable and has no place in football or anywhere else.
‘That opposition clubs can now face disciplinary action if their supporters engage in this discriminatory and offensive behaviour is a step in the right direction. Everyone who chooses to participate in this chant must know their actions have consequences.
‘Alongside our No To Hate campaign, we will continue to work with the FA, the CPS, opposition clubs, and our own LGBTQI+ supporter group Chelsea Pride in the pursuit of positive change.
‘There is plenty more work to be done, but we won’t rest until football is a game where everyone feels welcome.’
