Police confirm that two fans have been arrested at Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday for misogynistic chants aimed at a female referee.
Rebecca Welch was the target of alleged chants at St Andrew’s on Saturday afternoon, on the same weekend which marks White Ribbon day – which is a campaign to end violence against women and girls supported by Sky Sports.
Birmingham City fans warned it’s supporters before the game, with the statement titled ‘Everyone must feel welcome’ and to ‘show respect towards match officials’ yet it seems a minority had to let the club down.
#ARRESTS | We have arrested a man and a boy for misogynistic chanting at the female referee during Birmingham City’s home game at St Andrew’s today (Nov 25).
Read more 👇https://t.co/tXyRpGc7xA pic.twitter.com/H6U6K9Qbqp— Birmingham Police (@BrumPolice) November 25, 2023
West Midlands Police said in a statement at 5:30pm on Saturday: “Two boys arrested for misogynistic chanting at female referee during football match.
“We have arrested two boys for misogynistic chanting at the female referee during Birmingham City’s home game at St Andrew’s today (Nov 25).
‘Our officers heard the chants being directed at the official and acted quickly to arrest the two, who are both 17. They are currently in custody on suspicion of a public order offence as we carry out enquiries.
“We don’t tolerate any form of hate and it is important hate crime is reported to us.
“Today is White Ribbon Day which is the start of a 16 day long campaign. It focuses on everyone, especially men and boys on what they can do to change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence against women and girls.”
Birmingham City said: “Prior to Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Sheffield Wednesday, a statement was issued on BCFC.com encouraging supporters to be respectful towards the match officials.
“The Football Club are, therefore, deeply disappointed that two supporters were overheard by West Midlands Police officers engaging in misogynistic chanting towards Saturday’s referee and are currently in custody on suspicion of a public order offence.”
Two supporters were overheard by West Midlands Police officers engaging in misogynistic chanting towards today’s referee and are currently in custody on suspicion of a public order offence.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) November 25, 2023
In a statement the Blues put out prior to the Championship fixture, was as follows: “Ahead of the weekend’s match against Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham City would like to remind supporters of what is considered unacceptable behaviour towards match officials.
“The Sky Bet Championship match on Saturday 25 November, kick-off 3pm, will be officiated by Rebecca Welch. Unfortunately, when she last refereed at St. Andrew’s, the Club received several reports of sexist and misogynistic abuse aimed at the official.
“This will not be tolerated and any individual reported for such behaviour will be asked to leave their seat by stewards. Furthermore, in accordance with the Club’s behaviour matrix, foul and abusive language carries a potential ban of up to four matches, with discriminatory and hate speech being punishable with a maximum ban of five years.
“The Club recognises that the vast majority of Bluenoses behave in an exemplary manner, however, there is a small minority who let the rest down.
“Birmingham City has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination and is committed to identifying, confronting and eliminating discrimination towards any group or individual based on a protected characteristic, with a number of reporting procedures available to supporters.
Text:
- Text BCFC to 88440, with details of the incident and location (block, row and seat number)
- All texts are charged at your standard network rate. The Club may contact individuals directly or share their details with West Midlands Police if further information is required. The text line is in use from two hours prior to kick-off until one hour after the final whistle
Email:
- Contact report@bcfc.com to report any incidents of discrimination or abuse including those on social media
Report in person:
- Speak directly to a steward or member of staff
Third-party reporting:
‘When making a report, it is requested that as many available details are provided, such as seat, row and block number, along with any clothing descriptions, to help identify the correct individual.
“Those choosing to inform a steward of an incident may be asked to give a statement, which can be done confidentially.
“Moreover, should it be deemed necessary, the Club will work with West Midlands Police to progress incoming reports.
‘Those who disregard the safety and wellbeing of others are not welcome at any Blues match.”
The match itself saw Wayne Rooney’s side finally pick up his first win as manager of the Blues.
Sheffield Wednesday went ahead on 45 minutes, Josh Windass seeing his free kick strike the post, but luckily George Byers was on there to follow up with a tap in into.
But Birmingham weren’t behind for long, as three minutes later, Juninho Bacuna grabbed an equaliser.
Then the hosts put more misery on their opponents, with substitute Jordan James poking home from a cross sent in from Jay Stansfield to secure the win, Wayne Rooney’s first as Birmingham manager, and his first in English football since April last year after his Derby side picked up a 2-0 victory at Blackpool.
It’s more bad news for Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, who has now lost five of his first six games.
Birmingham now sit 14th in the Championship table with 22 points from 17 games played, while Sheffield Wednesday stay rock bottom, with 6 points from 17 games played and 10 points from safety.
Speaking to BluesTV post-match, Rooney said: “[The] second-half was better. I was disappointed with the players first-half because of how they have been all week in training and then we didn’t show the energy that I wanted first-half or the composure with the ball.
“Getting the goal just before half-time was nice, but I wasn’t happy at all at half-time and I made the players aware that I wanted more energy and I wanted more composure because I felt with a bit more energy – they took risks playing out from the back – we could really hurt them.
“We had a good dominance of the game second-half and then, obviously, what you always want when you make changes is for players to have an impact. I thought Jukey (Lukas Jutkiewicz) did that and then JJ (Jordan James) got his goal, so I am really pleased.
“JJ’s goal, it was great build-up, great composure, and if you do that you can hurt teams in this league.
“So I was delighted with that but also with the reaction, it is never easy in this league when you go a goal down. To come back and win the game, I am really pleased with that.”
Owls boss Danny Röhl said: “I feel disappointed. I think in five games since I came here we have been the better team, but just one time we have taken something and this is disappointing for sure.
“Today, we played on nearest our highest level but to take something you need to do this for the whole time.
“We have to go forward, I know it’s a hard way to go, but I want to improve the team and create something. When you look at our games, you can see there is a way, we press high and press together.
“I’ve told the players that I am not here to wave the white flag, I am here to be a fighter and I will do everything to take points. I think everybody recognises that we are trying everything.
“We are training to make the intensity about the full 90 minutes, we have to be strong as a team.
“You could see after 20 minutes we came back in the second half and had control again, and we were dangerous but in the end it’s not enough and it’s frustrating at the moment.
“We deserved the lead and maybe for the score to be more than 1-0. I am disappointed with the goal we conceded for 1-1.
“It was a good goal and good to score before half time, but in the next two or three minutes it is always dangerous because there will be a reaction from the opponent.
“We spoke at half time about what we can do better and in the end it was a pity we didn’t take something.”
🎥 The gaffer reflects on today’s game#BIRSHW pic.twitter.com/ignjw2bdyQ
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) November 25, 2023
Twitter users reacted after reports of two fans arrested at Birmingham for misogynistic chants aimed at the female referee…
@Harry_BCFC: Jesus. Come on, just no need for it. Refs a ref, all pretty bad, just get on with watching the game.
@alexjhurley: Good. No place for sexism at my club 👍
@___Riz1902: Good. There’s absolutely no space for this behaviour in our spot. Sick of people behaving this way and thinking they can get away with it.
@Trentvilla1: Ah lovely family day out at the footie…. 🤦♂️
@tommyuto: As much as she’s awful at her job, this is not on. Glad arrests have been made.
Rich WD: They’ll slowly get weeded out, they can’t help themselves. We’re heading in the right direction
Stephen James Smith: Glad you caught them. They have no place at Blues and are a cancer in society.
Steve Bates: No place in our club
Ben Lynock: These people make our club look bad
Steven Edwards: After the grief Bacuna recently endured, maybe we should go back to playing behind closed doors before we get a points deduction or the EFL decide we play behind closed doors.
Chris Davies: The minority stand out from the majority. Mindless morons.
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