Leeds United fans warned they face ‘lengthy stadium bans’ for homophobic chants | OneFootball

Leeds United have issued a stern warning to supporters found engaging in homophobic chanting, saying that they will face “a lengthy stadium ban”.

It comes after additional cameras were deployed for Sunday's match against Brighton at Elland Road.

The fixture saw Leeds secure their Premier League survival with a 1-0 victory, while Brighton's European aspirations now hinge on their final game of the season.

In a statement, the Yorkshire club said: “Leeds United Football Club are aware of homophobic chanting which took place during Sunday’s Premier League fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road.”

The club reiterated its pre-match communication that “any form of discriminatory chanting has no place in football”.

It went on: “For this match, extra cameras were deployed in stands and anyone identified in taking part in homophobic chanting will face a lengthy stadium ban.

“The club are also aware of disappointing Jimmy Savile chants, however, this does not make other forms of discriminatory and homophobic chanting acceptable.”

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Extra cameras were installed for the match (Getty)

It comes after Real Madrid lost its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a Uefa fine imposed after fans directed homophobic chants at Pep Guardiola during a Champions League match against Manchester City.

The sport’s highest court upheld the penalty, ruling the chant was “of a severe discriminatory nature … to be considered as far more serious and damaging than acceptable satire and banter”.

The incident occurred in February 2025 when Madrid hosted Manchester City. Some supporters were heard chanting that Guardiola was thin, took drugs, and would be seen in the Spanish capital's most gay-friendly neighbourhood.

An expert witness at the court linked this to suggesting the former Barcelona coach was “infected with HIV/AIDS”, according to the verdict.

Uefa lawyers said that homophobia has “cast a long and deeply troubling shadow” over football.

They said: “For decades, the sport has been marred by a culture of machismo, exclusion, prejudice, and hostility towards individuals based on their sexual orientation.”

The European football body’s lawyers added that this “persistent intolerance has impacted the personal and professional lives of countless players, coaches and fans and also led to tragic outcomes in the past”.