Luton fined and given a two-year action plan over homophobic chanting by supporters against Brighton… as the club warns fans they could face bans and police investigations

• Luton accepted the charge and were handed a £120,000 fine and action plan 
• Charges related to chanting from supporters on the opening day of the season 
• City-Liverpool is tough to referee… but our campaign is up and running – IAKO 

Luton Town have been fined £120,000 and issued with a two-year action plan by the Football Association over offensive chanting in their Premier League match against Brighton.

The club accepted an FA charge for abusive, offensive, homophobic, discriminatory chanting by supporters at the opening Premier League fixture of the season away to Brighton on August 12.

An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed the fine and action plan on the club after accepting the charge, with Luton also warned over its future conduct.

Luton have warned supporters identified will be issued with bans from the club and potentially face a police investigation.    

‘As an inclusive, family-oriented Club, Luton Town abhors abusive chanting such as this and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of all kinds. It is not acceptable towards anyone in football or wider society, either in person or online,’ a club statement read.

Luton have been fined and issued with an action plan after homophobic chanting by fans

Your browser does not support iframes.

‘Those involved were committing a criminal offence and anyone subsequently identified will be issued with a Club ban and face potential police investigation.

‘Luton Town has worked with supporters in recent seasons to help form the Rainbow Hatters supporters’ group for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who meet regularly to share their experiences of watching the Hatters.

‘We will continue to promote the ‘Love Football. Protect The Game’ campaign, which this season has focused especially on fan behaviour, and will work further with supporter groups to educate and inform on all forms of discriminatory acts to ensure that watching Luton Town is a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

‘Please email [email protected] if you have any concerns or incidents to report at a Luton Town fixture.’

The Regulatory Commission ruling said it appeared chanting from Luton fans had been aimed at a Brighton player, who had been the subject of such offensive discriminatory chanting in the past. 

Video footage revealed the offensive chant of ‘Chelsea rent boy’ involved a ‘very substantial number of LTFC supporters.’

Three Luton fans were identified by Sussex Police to have allegedly been involved in the chanting.

Criminal charges are not being pursued against one fan who admitted involvement, with the supporter having been issued with a club ban.

No further action is being taken against another supporter, while the third was issued with an interim suspension by Luton pending the outcome of the police investigation, as of October 11.

Homophobic chanting was heard by Luton fans during their match against Brighton in August

The action plan includes the development of supporter initiatives ahead of fixtures to address discriminatory or other inappropriate behaviour, as well as additional supporter and steward educational programmes in conjunction with Kick it Out.

Luton will also appoint an equality, diversity and inclusion manager, while the club will review ticket sales policies to ensure they do not increase the risk of discriminatory or inappropriate supporter behaviour.

The club will also publish warnings to its supporters against the use of discriminatory and other inappropriate supporter behaviour and language.

Luton will also invite an FA compliance officer to be present at any home fixture where the club following its pre-match risk assessment, determines that the fixture carries a high risk of discriminatory language or behaviour being used by supporters.

Luton were also forced to condemn chanting and apologise earlier this month, after tragedy chanting that marred their draw against Liverpool on November 6.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article