Everton release a statement hitting out at fans’ chant during their Premier League fixture, a 1-1 draw, at Chelsea on Thursday night.
The Toffees criticised the “unacceptable” homophobic behaviour from some of their fans at Stamford Bridge during the game.
A club statement on Twitter read: “Everton condemns the homophobic chanting directed at a Chelsea player this evening at Stamford Bridge. Such behaviour is unacceptable and does not represent the values of our club or our wider fanbase.
— Everton (@Everton) December 16, 2021
“Through our ‘All Together Now’ campaign we promote and celebrate the diversity and inclusivity within our club, our game and our community.
“We expect fans to reflect those values by refraining from any discriminatory chanting in the future.”
Everton LGBTQ+ group Rainbow Toffees said on Twitter: “We’ve been informed of the ‘Chelsea Rent Boy’ chants. This is something we totally condemn. It’s wrong, it’s homophobic & needs to stop. We have brought this up with the club in the past & will be bringing it up again.”
Tony Burnett, Kick It Out CEO, told Sky Sports: “Our position is clear, the term ‘rent boy’ is homophobic and should be treated as such.
“It’s important that the right stakeholders are consulted in decision-making processes around discriminatory language, so this doesn’t happen again in the future.”
An FA spokesperson said: “The FA is committed to tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in football at every level of the game. We will continue to work with partners across the game, such as Stonewall and LGBT fan groups, to encourage fans and players to report abuse, both at a national and County FA level, and work with the leagues, campaign groups and the statutory agencies to sanction and educate perpetrators.”
Stonewall, the equality charity that runs the Rainbow Laces campaign which is supported by the FA, says it will continue to work with the governing body on identifying and reducing anti-LGBT+ language and behaviour in football.
Robbie de Santos, Stonewall’s director of communications and external affairs, said: “Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic chanting are still sadly a feature of some football games. Tackling such offensive language is a crucial part of helping LGBT+ people feel welcome on the stands and on the pitch.
“We will continue to work with the FA to ensure they understand the damage anti-LGBT+ language can do and how to better tackle it. The more players, fans, clubs and organisations that stand up for equality in sport, the sooner we kick discrimination out and make sport everyone’s game.”
Jordan Pickford starred as a much-depleted Everton scrapped their way to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, who lost more ground in the title race.
The England goalkeeper was called upon to make nine saves in a match where Chelsea had 23 shots on goal but only had a Mason Mount strike on 70 minutes to show for their dominance. That lead only lasted four minutes as Jarrad Branthwaite knocked home a sublime Anthony Gordon set-piece to equalise.
The draw leaves Chelsea four points behind Manchester City in third place in the Premier League table.
Twitter users reacted as Everton release a statement hitting out at fans’ homophobic chant…
@teadrinker68: How about Everton condemning their chants about homelessness and people going hungry?
@JackDunc1: Get ready for Episode 200454 of straight people telling gays “BuT iT’s NoT HoMoPhObIc”
@j_d_moran: BTW @Everton, be a bit braver and send it as a tweet that goes out on the main feed not just a reply
@originals_1878: Feed the scousers ok? Why don’t you speak up about that?
@QPRReport: Despite all the efforts and condemnations; the racism, homophobia, antisemitism et al just doesn’t seem to end. So up the penalties including to the clubs themselves
@j_d_moran: The whataboutery in the replies is depressing
@NeilHalton: The weird whataboutery in response to this to me illustrates people aren’t that bothered really. Casual homopobia was rife at Goodison when I went. I don’t expect its changed. Fans ignore it.
@alexglover1878: Any statements on feed the scousers?
@Sam_AEC: Yet more whatboutism in the comments. Why is it people only bring up their outrage at other chants, when it is to combat a statement against homophobic chants? 🤔
@lowerbullens: But it’s OK to chant about scousers ‘signing on’, robbing stereos and needing to be fed? By the way the rent boys chant is not homophobic, it’s about all the mercenaries who signed and the ‘posh’ prawn sandwich eating fair weather fans Chelski have! #Dontthrowbricksinglasshouses
@pjneedham40: Both chants are wrong. And how you’ve come to that conclusion I have no idea. Rentboys are nothing to do with sandwiches!
@top_bal_view: Homophobic chanting is moronic and abhorrent. As in any discriminatory behaviour in football stadiums. Therefore, how long do we just tolerate “feed the scousers” songs?
@xCxrdd: Lets see if Chelsea put out a statement for feed the scousers then
@ellieq: Utterly embarrassing – both the act and the responses of whataboutery re “feed the scousers”
@kurtsmorton: Yep. Fuck that bullshit. Start banning the bigots.
@MatFlusk: Pack this the fuck in.
@NothingbutBoffo: Not hard to not be a massive tit really. It’s 2021 ffs
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