Manchester United fans are said to have mocked opposition manager Frank Lampard with homophobic chants during Friday's cup game against Everton. The Football Association is investigating, United are apologizing - and LGBTQ groups are calling for punishment.
The English Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into alleged homophobic chanting following Manchester United's 3-1 FA Cup win over Everton. This was reported by several English media unanimously. United fans taunted Everton manager Frank Lampard as a "rent boy" in the second half of Friday night's game.
A statement from the association said: "We strongly condemn the use of the term 'rent boy' and are determined to ban him from our game." Part of the FA's work in this area is "to provide relevant authorities with statements from LGBTQ supporters on how such chants impacted their experience and sense of inclusion at football matches". This should "create a clearer attitude and a better understanding of the chants". The FA is "firmly opposed to any form of discrimination" and strives to create "a safe environment for all".
The chants appeared to refer to Lampard's longstanding association with Chelsea, where the 44-year-old played between 2001 and 2014. Lampard also coached the Blues before joining Everton FC.
"Homophobia, like all forms of discrimination, has no place in football," Manchester United said. The club is proud of its diverse fan base "and of the work we have done to reduce incidents like the ones we unfortunately heard today. We will continue to work for inclusion and against discriminatory attacks, be it in the stadiums or on the Internet." Among other things, United wants to educate fans that "discriminatory language is an insult."
Rainbow Devils, United's LGBTQ fan group, called on the club to identify those responsible for the chants and take action. "We strongly condemn the taunting of Frank Lampard with the illegal and homophobic chants of some of our fans and call on the club to take action," the group said in a tweet. "We urge Manchester United to do everything in their power to identify those responsible and take the strongest possible action against them."
