Wrexham warn fans over homophobic chanting before Chelsea FA Cup tie | OneFootball

Wrexham have warned supporters that homophobic chanting at Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Chelsea will carry serious consequences.

The club said in a statement that use of the rent boy chant, often directed at Chelsea players past and present, is a homophobic slur and a hate crime. Anyone engaging in discriminatory behaviour risks ejection from the STōK Cae Ras, a football banning order and criminal charges.

Under club regulations, the offence brings an automatic three-year ban. North Wales Police will seek arrests and criminal charges.

The term is recognised by the Football Association and the Crown Prosecution Service as a homophobic slur and therefore a hate crime, a position set out in 2022.

Several clubs have issued comparable warnings before facing Chelsea in recent seasons, including Manchester United and Leeds United.

The meeting with Chelsea will be Wrexham’s first FA Cup fifth round appearance since 1997.

Source: NY Times