Tottenham confirm arrest of fan for alleged chant sung during win over Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur confirm an arrest of a fan for alleged homophobic chant sung during their 2-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs confirmed that one of their supporters was arrested after allegedly using homophobic language, with it reported that chanting took place prior to kick-off, and again after Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech received a red card. This was later rescinded just before the break.

Responding to a Twitter post from a Spurs fan highlighting the abuse, Tottenham said: ‘We can confirm an individual was arrested for use of homophobic language.

‘There is no place for discrimination at Tottenham Hotspur.’

We can confirm an individual was arrested for use of homophobic language. There is no place for discrimination at Tottenham Hotspur. https://t.co/tsc9VbqR3i

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 26, 2023

Tottenham put more misery on Graham Potter and his side with another loss. Harry Kane and Oliver Skipp got on the scoresheet with Chelsea’s winless streak now standing at six.

According to the Metropolitan Police, six arrests were made during Premier League clash. One was for homophobic abuse towards a steward while another was for assault/homophobic abuse. All six arrests were made during the match. One was for homophobic abuse toward a steward and one for assault/homophobic abuse toward a steward.

A statement read: ‘The Met has a dedicated football policing unit whose officers take action against those who ruin the experience for other fans through violence and hate crime at matches.

‘There is no place for homophobia or hate crime in football or anywhere, and we will robustly tackle such offenses, holding offenders to account and bringing prosecutions where appropriate.

‘Anyone who is a victim or witness of any hate crime should report the matter to stadium staff or police, and it will be investigated.’

A year ago, the CPS and FA were given the all-clear to take new action against fans over the use of the ‘rentboy’ chant at matches.

The Crown Prosecution Service have warned that they are ready to take criminal action over the “rent boy” chant which has been heavily condemned this season.

This now paves the way for the Football Association to punish supporters but also sanction individual clubs with the chant becoming increasingly evident this season.

The FA have repeatedly suggested that they are powerless to begin issuing disciplinary sanctions against clubs because they believe that the “rent boy” term had not been deemed discriminatory by the CPS.

Police haven’t been able to take criminal action against individual fans. But now the CPS have confirmed to Telegraph Sport that they do regard the term “rent boy” as a homophobic slur which amounts to a hate crime.

The FA takes disciplinary action against clubs when groups of fans take to discriminatory behaviour, such as racist chanting, and the CPS have seemingly issued a new stance which suggests that the same disciplinary process can now be applied to homophobic “rent boy” chants.

Asked specifically about the “rent boy” chant, a CPS spokesperson told The Telegraph: “The CPS continues to take racist and homophobic chanting at football matches extremely seriously and is working closely the FA, football clubs and charities to drive this hideous behaviour out of the game.

“The impact on groups attacked by this type of mob behaviour can be devastating. We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone of these actions where there is sufficient evidence to do so.”

This will be welcomed by fan groups and anti-discriminatory campaigners.

Charity Kick it Out have seen a rise in complaints over the “rent boy” term this campaign, saying that “it is unquestionably homophobic and extremely offensive to the LGBTQ+ community, who make up such an important part of our game”.

In 2008, Spurs fan Lee heard a chant at a Chelsea match that would turn him away from football for 10 years. Now, thanks to our work with @SpursLGBT to drive inclusivity, he’s ready to return to this fixture.

Hear his story as we celebrate Football v Homophobia Month of Action pic.twitter.com/fALOE4lKoZ

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 24, 2023

The FA said in 2021 that they were striving to drive the insult out of the game but have also insisted that they must take their lead from what the CPS deems to be discriminatory. They will now be looking on to see if the UK Football Policing Unit does attempt to take individual prosecutions against fans who use the offensive term.

Edleen John, the FA’s equality, diversity and inclusion director, said that the “rent boy” insult was on the “same level” as racism. “It’s really negative, it’s not welcoming, it doesn’t create a sense of belonging, and frankly it’s disgusting,” she said.

“What we have to do is get to a place where the police and CPS systems view it in that same way so that the actions can be taken that we want to see across football and more broadly.”

Social media users reacts as Tottenham confirm an arrest of a fan for alleged chant sung during the win over Chelsea…

@werekickingoff: There are some ridiculous replies to this from some sad, pathetic men. Well done for calling it out Zack – it needs challenging, & fair play to you for doing it 👍

@georgelah: Well done. No place for this in our club (or anywhere else).

@notthatmilo: 👏🏻 Well done Zack. There’s no place for this chant

@SpursRC: Can you also report the hissing from the Chelsea end. Cheers

@HarryScarfe22: It’s got to stop now the chant. Well done for reporting glad that something has been done about it. There is no room for discrimination in football.

@Cennyddball: Thanks for calling this out.

@Dee86439453: I heard one bloke shout it and the guy next to him say “no, you can’t say that now” – Some people are learning

@dandurnin: No need for this nonsense. We are better than this.

@LeoVanDays: This fixture often brings out the worst in people, and it really has to stop – as does the vile hissing from the away corner. One comfort is that I was in 112 and didn’t hear the chant, which tends to suggest it was reasonably localised.

@berzo12: Good. Get them out of the club.

@mjamartin: What about the hundreds of Chelsea fans hissing at Spurs fans mimicking gas chambers? Did they toddle home freely afterwards?? At Stamford Bridge earlier this season we filmed one making nazi salutes and reported it but nothing happened!!

@FangedStew9530: Discrimination and homophobic behavior has no place at our club, in football or in sport. Good to see it being tackled. We are better than this so let’s retire the chant once and for all. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️