Gay Football Supporter's Network
GFSN News
We note with interest that eleven people have been charged following the match between Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspurs earlier in the season.
While we welcome the action that has been taken, we are disappointed that the police were unable to use “homophobia” but chose to use “indecent” as the grounds for the arrests.
We are concerned that by failing to address the issue directly, the important message this otherwise would send to the fans might be lost.
A Hampshire police spokesman stated:
“They were charged with indecent chanting at a football match using words which were essentially swearwords. They weren’t appropriate to be used at all, especially where there were children and we received a number of complaints.”
Chris Basiurski, campaigns officer for the GFSN says:
“We feel that the message here is not strong enough. Homophobia is rife in football and needs to be addressed directly. By citing “indecent” and not “homophobic” the charges fail to address our main concern, that the Tottenham Hotspurs supporters have used unacceptable homophobic abuse against an opposition player. It seems as though the football community is often scared to use the word “homophobic”
At the game, the vast majority of travelling away supporters were involved in abusive chanting to Sol Campbell, their former captain, including the now notorious “Lord of the dance”/swinging chant, although we understand that not all of the charges relate to this one chant.
The chants alluded to Mr Campbell’s mental state and his sexuality. Following the incidents, certain sections of the media and groups such as the Tottenham Hotspurs Supporters Trust refused to use the word “homophobia” to describe the abuse.
Without addressing the problem directly and clearly, we fear that such incidents will reoccur and that football will continue to be an intimidating place for gay men and women.
We are however, extremely encouraged by the response of Tottenham Hotspurs FC who have taken measures to prevent a repeat of the trouble when Portsmouth visit White Hart Lane this weekend (17/18th Jan 2009).
We understand that there will be extra policing and stewards and that the club will make various statements against discriminatory behaviour in the match day programme, on the website and through their manager.
We were very pleased to learn that individuals were already subject to indefinite bans for using the offensive chanting and that anyone caught at any future game will receive similar punishment.
We welcome their approach and would encourage them and the other professional football clubs to work with us to promote the participation of gay men and women in football, to highlight the specific problem of homophobia in football to prevent such incidents occurring again and to ensure that someone’s sexuality is not a barrier to prevent them taking part in the world of football.
For more information:
Chris Basiurski
Campaigns Officer
Gay Football Supporters Network
campaigns@gfsn.org.uk