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Forest Green warn fans that police ‘will take action’ over anti-Welsh chants reported

Forest Green warn fans that police ‘will take action’ over any anti-Welsh chants that are reported in the League Two fixture on Saturday.

A social media post was issued this week and since gone viral, it read: “We remind supporters that anti-Welsh language will not be tolerated ahead of our trip to Wrexham. Police will take action if such chants are reported.”

Wrexham go into this game with the chance of winning promotion from League Two this weekend. They will need to beat Forest Green Rovers, while also relying on both MK Dons and Barrow dropping points.

The visitors can’t mathematically be relegated this week but defeat would put them on the edge.

CPS STATEMENT:

Racialist chanting at football matches – Section 3 Football Offences Act 1991 (as amended)
An offence under section 3 Football Offences Act 1991 is committed when a group of people, or one person acting alone, chants something of a racialist nature at a designated football match. “Racialist” means the same as “racist”.

To prove this offence, the prosecution has to show that the chanting, which means the repeated uttering of words or sounds, was threatening, abusive or insulting to another person because of that person’s colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin.

It is not necessary to prove that the chanting was directed at a particular individual or group, although it will often be directed at a player or players from Black and minority ethnic communities.

The offence only applies to a “designated” match as specified in the Football (Offences) (Designation of Football Matches) Order 2004, namely, one involving a club that it a member of the Football League, the Football Association Premier League, the Football Conference or the Scottish Football League or the Welsh Premier League, or whose home ground is for the time being situated outside England and Wales, or represents a country or territory. The definition also includes a match in competition for the Football Association Cup (other than in a preliminary or qualifying round).

If convicted, the accused person can be fined (level 3), and, in addition to any other penalty, banned from attending football matches both in this country and abroad.

Even when a person is not charged with an offence, a magistrates’ court may issue a similar banning order against a person who has been involved in violent behaviour before, if the court is satisfied that this would help to prevent violence or disorder at football matches in the future. The police (and not the CPS) have the power to apply to the court for a banning order in these circumstances. Breach of a banning order is punishable by a maximum penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment.

The crime does not apply to chanting which is of a religious nature. In such circumstances, it may be appropriate to charge religiously aggravated public order offences.

This offence is aimed at specific behaviour within football grounds at designated matches and was introduced to combat the problem of mass racist chanting.

However, this offence should not be seen in isolation and it is not the only legislative tool available to deal with racist or religious football related crime.

In some situations, it might be more appropriate to charge other offences, such as specific racially or religiously aggravated public order offences. This may be the case, for example, where: the offence is committed outside the stadium at a designated football match; a public order offence is committed where religious as opposed to racist hostility is demonstrated to the victim or victims; or racial abuse and harassment of black and minority ethnic players takes place at a non-designated football match, such as at an amateur game.

Wrexham meanwhile urge fans not to run onto the pitch should they end up being promoted this weekend.

But, while the club accepts that ’emotions will be high’, they are warning that fans should not enter the field of play should promotion be achieved.

A statement from Wrexham added: “All at Wrexham AFC, including players and staff, are beyond grateful for your fantastic support over the course of the season, both home and away, that has spurred Phil Parkinson and his side on in our first campaign in the EFL since 2008.

“The Club wishes to remind supporters that it is crucial the pitch is kept to its usual high standards, given we still have a home game on the final day of the season.

“With that in mind, we wish to remind supporters about the implications of any potential pitch invasions, at any point, during the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

“At the end of last season, some clubs witnessed unsavoury and unwelcome scenes with a small minority of people entering the field of play whilst other fans took to the pitch in celebratory mood.

“It is a criminal offence to enter the pitch and the real-life consequences for these actions have been felt by many with some fans receiving criminal records which can impact employment, education prospects and international travel.

“Pitch incursions are dangerous and anyone who does encroach onto the playing surface will risk strong sanctions that could include a ban from attending matches here at the STōK Cae Ras and across the country, as well as facing possible police action.

“It is not only yourself that can be disciplined, as the club itself could face sanctions as a result.

“We ask supporters to respect that the pitch is for players and the stands are for spectators, and to avoid any unnecessary disruption at such a crucial point of the season in our battle for promotion.”

Twitter users reacted as Forest Green warn fans that police ‘will take action’ over anti-Welsh chants reported…

@Ryann_BRFC_95:
“What are you in prison for, mate?”
“Double murder, you”
“I used anti-Welsh language at Wrexham vs. Forest Green Rovers”

@Chris_Wrexham: Is calling ourselves sheep sh***ing b**tards an offence?

@Syncronicity4: This is what it’s come to. 😂 It’s called banter FFS.

@Freddpitts: May aswell ban me now lads

@Jamiebagshaw1: 3 year ban for a fart. 5 if it stinks

@ColonelMerv: Eh??! Yes let`s encourage the Police to waste time on a bit of football banter rather than catching actual criminals!?! Have a day off ffs you bunch of self absorbed wet wipes.. 🤦‍♂️😵‍💫 #AMF

@10JonahE: We actually sing it ourselves so where is the problem here 🤷🏽‍♂️

@Baters10: 🤣🤣🤣 good luck with that! Part of football ffs!

@beardywxm: Sing what you want lads we aren’t offended by it…..

@SimonHacker11: Clearly there r horrible things fans can say or hear, but we know that obvious line. This feels like a move to silence the jibes and jollity that is crucial to live football & suffocate the energy. As a vegan, I welcome insults from Wrexham tomorrow. Prob more fun than the game 😂

@JakePrice1927: Football is gone

@Shaunwrexham: You won’t be able to talk at a football match soon

@PAULQPRFC: The Welsh aren’t offended by this, taken and given back as banter. Woke policing telling people to be offended again.

@ChrisTa69386568: Make sure all 8 of you read the above or else you’ll be in trouble

@PNEPlug: Why’s everyone gone soft, let the English abuse the Welsh and the Welsh abuse the English. Let fans have banter

@riverport_: The police will though they police words more than violent crime these days

@beardywxm: It’s mental it’s not like it’s disaster chanting or mocking dead fans, it’s just bang average football banter, no one’s getting offended by it. everyone gives as good as they get in the stadium, outside the stadium most will gladly share a pint with opposition fans. This over policing of fans needs to stop.

@ding_dan_18: This is mental, anti welsh/English chants are the best bit about those games 😂

@GrandPrixGP: Worlds gone mad! Football banter is enshrined in the culture & enjoyment of terrace chants. Any way ……. 🗣️‘We Shag them, you eat them ’ 🎶

@_callumfowler: What has happened to this once beautiful sport. Anti Welsh get a grip 🤣

@womble_sa1:
Games gone…..
No one is wales gives a fuck
No one in British football gives a fuck what is sung at each other
Fuck me

Adam Edwards:
Rules for today’s HUGE game in the NWP statement
1- no pitch invasion “if we get promoted”
2 – remain seated at all times ” whether we score a goal or not”
3 – no vegan chants
4 – no talking throughout the game “until full time”
5- do NOT clap for any reason as it may offend people and you could face arrest
6 – no celebrations until you get 2 miles out of wrexham and you are away from the racecourse ground
7- no giving police officers any eye contact during times between 12-12 as again you will be punished
8 – no alcohol before during or after the game
9- no speaking to any forest green fans as NWP will have you in court for racism
10 – finally on this list as you should all be very aware by now and something i take very seriously – NO PYROS, smoke bombs or missiles 🧨🧨🧨
Hope you all have a great day 👊

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