Three supporters of Arsenal FC have been issued three-year football banning orders as a consequence of their participation in tragedy chanting. This comes in the wake of Arsenal’s recent defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup, during which the individuals pleaded guilty to a section five public order offense.
In an official statement, Arsenal voiced their strong disapproval of the behavior, stating, “We have a zero-tolerance approach to tragedy chanting and will always ensure strong action is taken against those found guilty of such behavior.” The club also confirmed their cooperation with the police to swiftly address the issue and welcomed the football banning orders that were issued.
Tragedy chanting resurfaced during the recent FA Cup quarter-final match at Old Trafford, where Manchester United emerged victorious over Liverpool. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported that an individual has been charged with Section 4a of the Public Order Act 1986 for alleged tragedy chanting and has been released on bail.
The Football Association (FA) has also expressed its disapproval of such conduct. In a statement, they declared, “We strongly condemn any offensive, abusive, and discriminatory chants in football stadiums, and we are determined to eradicate this behavior. It is entirely unacceptable and can have a lasting and damaging impact on individuals and communities within our game. It must stop, and we support any club and their fans who endeavor to eliminate this from the terraces.”
The issue of tragedy chanting is not new within the realm of football, and the measures being taken against those responsible illustrate the gravity with which such behavior is treated. It is imperative for the well-being of both players and fans that proactive steps are taken to eradicate this type of conduct from football matches.