Wrexham have warned supporters they will face “serious consequences,” including potential criminal charges, if they are found to have used anti-gay slurs.
The caution comes ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round fixture with Chelsea at the SToK Cae Ras, and also reminds fans the club could also face heavy sanctions in the face of any discriminatory behaviour.
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A club statement read: “We are aware that the highly offensive and inappropriate chant of ‘rent boys’ has been heard at Chelsea fixtures in recent years and would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our zero-tolerance approach to discriminatory behaviour.
Fans were warned to desist in discriminatory chanting during Hull City’s FA Cup fourth round match with Chelsea. Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images
“Anybody engaging in this behaviour will face serious consequences — including ejection from the ground, a banning order and North Wales Police have confirmed they will seek arrests and criminal charges. In accordance with the Club’s Exclusion Matrix, this would be categorised as a level five offence and carry an automatic three-year ban.
“Furthermore, the football club could face heavy sanctions if its supporters are found to have engaged in such behaviour.”
Hull City confirmed multiple arrests were made for discriminatory chanting after the team’s 4-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat to Chelsea.
In January 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service officially classified the chant as a anti-gay slur and therefore a hate crime. Anyone caught using the term could be liable for prosecution under hate crime laws.
PA contributed to this report.