Kieran Maguire reveals Leeds United fans to be ‘hit in their pockets’ as news emerges
Leeds United fans are set to be “hit in their pockets” after the club have been fined by The FA, according to Kieran Maguire.
The Whites accepted a £150,000 fine imposed by the governing body on 17 August following homophobic chanting at the game against Brighton in March.
Speaking about the judgement on The Price of Football podcast on 24 August, football finance expert Maguire said the fine will also have an indirect impact on the fans as well as Leeds’ finances.
“Obviously, I’ve got skin in this,” he said. “I’m a Brighton fan and I’ve been watching us for 50 years. I’ve been putting up with 50 years of homophobic comments, some of which are pretty unpleasant. The FA and the Premier League are trying to take a harder line on this.
“If I was 16 or 17 and gay, would I feel uncomfortable? Because what they’re effectively doing by making the chants is that they’re trying to imply that your sexuality makes you a lesser person.
“At the same time, some of the things Brighton chant appal me – like poverty celebration. I think you don’t understand the town or city which you’re talking about, so it’s not taking a moral high ground.
“I wouldn’t want to see football anesthetised either, but there is a line with what’s appropriate and inappropriate and I think where that line is has shifted. It’s far worse when individuals come up to you after a match and say some pretty robust things with regard to your sexuality.
“So, what should be the appropriate action? Leeds United have got a proud and fantastic LGBT group. I don’t know what their view of this is, but if it’s now going to be hitting the club in the pocket, ultimately, it’s hitting the fans in the pocket indirectly as well.”
Unacceptable
In this day and age, some of the chants that are still being made – in this case of the homophobic variety – are completey unacceptable and don’t belong in the sport.
The FA are clearly taking the matter very seriously and are making efforts to try and ensure it is eradicated by imposing heavy fines on the guilty parties.
It certainly isn’t just Leeds fans that have been guilty of this offence as it’s been an issue with a number of clubs over several years, with Brighton supporters perhaps taking more flack than others.
There is a clear line that everyone knows you don’t cross and those people that do decide to overstep the mark should be dealt with accordingly.
The Whites said in their statement in response to the fine that they have worked hard over recent years to “eradicate homophobia”, but accepted the efforts haven’t been enough and that they will be increasing the work with the club’s fanbase.
In other Leeds United news, the club are in advanced talks to land an international midfielder.