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West Ham victory marred by homophobic chants

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West Ham away supporters for homophobic chants at Stamford Bridge of ‘Chelsea are rent boys, everywhere they go’ were heard clearly throughout the stadium.

Kick It Out have urged all supporters who attended the game, that if they heard any homophobic chants, to report them immediately.

They have also called for action previously following chants towards the Chelsea fans, after they issued a statement when Chelsea were subject to homophobic chanting against Liverpool last April.

We are absolutely clear: the ‘rent boy’ chant is homophobic and must be treated as such.”

“The ‘rent boy’ chants have been directed at Chelsea for years, with little action taken by The FA or police – and that must not continue.

“We expect stronger condemnation and appropriate sanctions. just as we would for any other form of discrimination.”

Chelsea had previously urged supporters ahead of the London derby to remain respectful and to not use any discriminatory language such as ‘Pikies’ in their chanting.

West Ham’s LGBT supporter association the Pride of Irons has since said “Having spoken to Chelsea Pride to get the details of yesterday’s homophobic chanting, we understand that West Ham fans were chanting “Chelsea Rent Boys”. Whether you think this is homophobic or not, Kick it out have made it clear that it is. When you use homophobic chants you aren’t abusing most Chelsea fans who will be straight, but all gay fans whether they support Chelsea or West Ham. We’re better than that and can come up with much smarter chants that don’t abuse our own fans. We shouldn’t be the club appearing in the news for homophobia, there are other clubs who have ingrained problems. Let’s not join their ranks. Be better. Be West Ham. Support the whole West Ham Family, no matter race, gender, sexuality or anything else. COYI”

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I am Season Ticket Holder in West stand lower at the London Stadium and before that, I used to stand in the Sir Trevor Brooking Lower Row R seat 159 in the Boleyn Ground and in the Eighties I stood on the terraces of the old South Bank. I am a presenter on the West Ham Podcast called MooreThanJustaPodcast.co.uk. A Blogger on WestHamTillIdie.com a member of the West Ham Supporters Advisory Board (SAB), Founder of a Youtube channel called Mr West Ham Football at http://www.youtube.com/MrWestHamFootball,

I am also the associate editor here at Claret and Hugh.

Life Long singer of bubbles! Come on you Irons!

Follow me at @Westhamfootball on twitter

10 comments

  • Scott Templeman says:

    It’s not marred at all,why are you highlighting this?why not concentrate on the good win?we’ve got the best fans in England,stop knocking them.hopefully you’ll allow this post as this site is more censored than North Korean TV lately.

  • keith astley says:

    Perhaps all fans should just sit there in silence!!!
    Do you honestly think one Chelsea fan was offended?

    • West Ham Fan No 32 says:

      I suspect they were Keith including some West Ham fans just as pakistani and jewish fans are when another song is sung, why should anyone suffer in silence ? We have a good record in kicking these outdated views into touch am sure the same approach will work on this.

  • Gavin says:

    Discrimination is about denying somebody their equal rights in society, not calling a crowd rude names in a football stadium. Funny how the people that are offended don’t even go to the games. Kick it out doesn’t determine what can be said and can’t. You wouldn’t get arrested in the street for calling someone a rent boy would you. Case closed.

  • Richard Knox says:

    Whatever happened to “Sticks and Stones”? Why is everyone so offended by the slightest little jibe? There’s lots of people, religions and nationalities out there who personally and for a multitude of different reasons I do not like, does this make me a bad person?

  • mooro66uk says:

    I don’t get offended when I’m called a Pikey.

  • BIlly says:

    I’m guessing your not from a gypsy family then Mooro otherwise you wouldn’t make such an idiotic comment. Being from a gypsy family I find the word pikey seriously offensive.

  • Michael Miller says:

    ‘Snowflake’ nonsense!

  • mooro66uk says:

    Billy, you are right , I’m not from a gypsy family, but West Ham fans are often branded Pikeys by opposing fans. I don’t get upset by it even though it’s inaccurate. Perhaps you didn’t know that Hammers fans were called this. I really don’t see why you consider it an idiotic comment.

  • Andy says:

    Since when has the term “rent boy” been offensive? I’m a gay man and can categorically state that this term is not offensive. It’s funny. I also wear glasses and don’t get offended by the “4 eyes” jibes, as I don’t have four eyes. Nor do I rent myself out. Pathetic left wing clap trap.

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