A man has been handed a three-year football banning order after being found guilty of singing a homophobic chant during Chelsea's draw with Everton in March.
The struggling Toffees claimed a draw at Stamford Bridge in a thrilling Premier League clash two months ago. But during that match, Ethan Davies, 21, from Greasby, Wirral, was allegedly heard singing a homophobic chant.
He has now been found guilty of an aggravated Public Order Act offence, with Westminster Magistrates Court handing out their judgement on Thursday. Davies has been fined and given a three year banning order from football matches as a result.
The news was confirmed by the Metropolitan Police's Football Unit and was welcomed by Chelsea Pride, the Blues' LGBT+ fans group. In a statement on social media, they reminded fans that those found singing homophobic chants will be prosecuted.
"Every game we highlight that homophobic & discrimination of any kind has no place in football & it’s time to kick out the hate & educate. Let’s remind fans, that Homophobic Chant = A Hate Crime, you can be prosecuted," Chelsea Pride wrote on Twitter.
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The current campaign has seen a surge in homophobic hate crimes, to the dismay of the LGBT+ community. The Crown Prosecution Service has attempted to take steps to combat that rise, having classified the 'Rent Boy' chant as a homophobic hate crime last year.
The incident came during Chelsea's clash with Everton in March (Ivan Yordanov/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)In December they successfully prosecuted a Liverpool fan for signing that specific chant at last year's FA Cup final. That was the first successful prosecution for the offence and led to the FA also beefing up their stance on homophobia.
And Douglas Mackay, the CPS' lead prosecutor for sport, told Mirror Football in January that he is focused on eradicating homophobia from football. Mackay reaffirmed his commitment to tackling the issue amid the horrific rise in homophobic incidents.
“We share the horror and concern over incidents of hateful and abusive behaviour in recent weeks, which are a blight on the beautiful game," Mackay exclusively told Mirror Football.
"The CPS is determined to tackle homophobic and other hateful abuse to make sure that football is a game for everyone and not one that discriminates against anyone.
"Football is a game for all but, while chants help to create an atmosphere that all fans enjoy, songs that include homophobic or racist language have no place in the sport.
“This illegal activity can be, and has been, prosecuted, with perpetrators receiving criminal records and football banning orders. We call on fans to report incidents of hate crime and other abuse to the clubs and the police.”
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