Leeds United: Chelsea fans in ‘Vulgar’ chants at Stamford Bridge in FA Cup
Chelsea fans were heard singing Jimmy Savile chants as Leeds United travelled to Stamford Bridge for an FA Cup clash on Wednesday 28 February.
The Whites fans were sent a “zero tolerance” message ahead of a tie with the Blues, making reference to chants sometimes aimed at Chelsea fans.
Although Leeds fans behaved during the 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans clearly did not receive the message as Mail Sport heard whispers of Savile chants from the home fans.
Reporting via Mail Sport’s Notebook on Thursday (29 February, page 75), Kieran Gill wrote: “Leeds sent a zero-tolerance warning to the 5,366 travelling fans, writing that chant is a homophobic slur and hate crime’ which was ‘made a prosecutable offence in 2022’.
“Thankfully, Mail Sport heard no vulgar chants from the away end, though there was the odd Jimmy Savile song from the Chelsea section.”
Chelsea cast a dark shadow over Leeds United clash
Leeds fans will be disappointed to have been knocked out of the FA Cup, especially after taking the lead through Mateo Joseph and equalising at 2-2 through the young forward.
However, it is difficult to argue that it was not one of the matches of the competition so far, with both sides going all out for the victory. The chants from Chelsea fans will have ruined the night somewhat, though.
Savile chants have been an issue for years now and some fans at other clubs continue to make the same mistake of creating them around the person in question.
It is well-known that Savile was from Leeds, but the ongoing association between him and the club can only damage the representation of others more, which has caused growing frustrations for those who love the football club.
It is easy to understand that chants about Savile could be harmful to those who have experienced abuse, of any type, which makes the Chelsea fans’ chants all the more disappointing and unforgivable.
This has to stop.
In other Leeds United news, a player made his mind up to leave the Whites months ago as Phil Hay shares an update from Elland Road.
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