Three Arsenal fans – members of Ashburton Army, receive bans for tragedy chanting

Three 18 year old Arsenal fans – who are members of Ashburton Army, receive bans for tragedy chanting in the game against Liverpool.

Mail Sport revealed that three members of the Ashburton Army, which is a group of Arsenal supporters, have been issued with three-year football banning orders for their involvement in tragedy chanting related to the Hillsborough disaster.

This incident came during Arsenal’s FA Cup Third Round exit to Liverpool back in January, where Liverpool emerged victorious with a 2-0 win.

The Met Police made a number of arrests during the game, leading to the banning orders for Ellis Chandler, George Oxley, and Joshua Ricca, who are all 18-year-old members of the Ashburton Army.

These orders prohibit them from attending football matches. Chandler and Oxley are additionally restricted from being within 1.5 miles of the Emirates Stadium.

Mail Sport adds that Arsenal are to review the group’s ticket allocation, having previously been cut from 100 to 50.

Club statement: supporters banned for tragedy chanting

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 21, 2024

Arsenal said in a statement via www.arsenal.com: “Three Arsenal supporters have each received a three-year football banning order after pleading guilty to a section five public order offence (tragedy chanting) which took place at our home fixture against Liverpool on Sunday, January 7.

“We strongly condemn this abhorrent behaviour.

“We have worked closely with the police to ensure swift action was taken and we welcome the football banning orders handed out.

“We have a zero-tolerance approach to tragedy chanting and will always ensure strong action is taken against those found guilty of such behaviour.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

In May, Arsenal worked with law enforcement regarding antisemitic messages shared within the group’s WhatsApp discussion with content of the messages revolving around the Holocaust, as well as delving into Israel-Palestine conspiracy theories and Tottenham’s identity as a Jewish-affiliated club.

Those seeking to join the Ashburton Army must demonstrate a dedication to the north London club by creating banners, composing songs, attending gatherings, and even volunteering at food banks.

In recent years, they have built a close partnership with the Gunners’ mens and women’s teams, with manager Mikel Arteta seen working to strengthen the bond between the team and its supporters.

Superintendent Gerry Parker from the football policing unit said to Mail Sport: ‘We are clear, there is absolutely zero-tolerance for tragedy chanting and we will deal with anyone who is found to be doing it.

‘A lot of the police officers working on football matches are fans themselves, we get the passion of being a supporter, but it’s very clear when this becomes a criminal offence.’

On Monday, two Man Utd fans were arrested for alleged tragedy chanting during last Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at home to Liverpool.

Back in June, Premier League teams came together to agree new measures for tackling the rise in tragedy-related chanting at matches.

Twitter users reacted as three Arsenal fans – members of Ashburton Army, receive bans for tragedy chanting…

@Sparxs_TV: This! I want my club to do this and any fan witnessing it either stops it themselves or reports it to the club!! It has zero place in society whatsoever.

@GoonerGirl1969: Absolutely disgusting. No place for it anywhere. They should be utterly ashamed of themselves. Well done Arsenal 👏🏼

@FcFalse9: Kudos for Arsenal and standing up for values and class

@DavePickering4: This stuff is so bad. How bad are people who mock the deaths of people who watch or play football. What happened at Hillsborough was tragic. Munich was tragic. Heysel was tragic. The football community should always stand together where events like these occur.

@gunner_thoughts: 3 year ban not enough. We don’t want them back. Ever.

@fabtony1: Well done @Arsenal there is no place in football for this and when tragedy occurs Present or past, we all come together and stand as one.

@Debluvschoo: God how shameful. I’ll never forget that day & I thought our fans were better than this. They must have very short memories or no memories! As a season ticket holder I personally would prefer @Arsenal to have said never welcome here again

@pythaginboots: 3 year ban? These morons need to have a lifetime ban. Can someone explain to me why grown ass men think it’s cool and bad ass to chant about dead people at football grounds? One of the cringiest and weirdest things about the football fandom space. #LFC #MUFC #arsenal

@liamtogher88: Well done Arsenal . A lot more still needs to be done but at least transparent action is finally being taken against such scum behaviour

@ArseCannonPics: Why people turn into Neanderthals at a football match is beyond me. Banter the opposition by all means. Go to town on their league position. Have a go at their lack of trophies etc. That’s all fair game but to openly mock the deaths of fans is the lowest of the low. #afc

@LFCGroove: Fair play Arsenal. Hopefully more clubs follow suit. And that includes us with people like that dickhead doing the plane gesture last weekend

@AdamSalter4: Great news. I hope they never set foot in our stadium ever again.

@gunner_thoughts: 3 year ban not enough. We don’t want them back. Ever.

@s7nnys: I’m not even trying to pick at arsenal here but it is disgusting how often people joke about 97. How sad of a human do you have to be to joke about people dying just trying to see the team they love to get attention

@MattTalksBall_: Should have been banned for life. No place for it

@deafvulgaris: Well done Arsenal 👏🏻 hope the bans are lifetime ones. Set the standard and wipe that sort of scum behaviour out.

@louengland: Glad to see this. Fucking tools