FA fine of £150,000 for inappropriate chants v Brighton a costly reminder to Leeds United fans to behave
Football is absolutely nothing without passion and Leeds United fans have passion in spades.
There is a common joke on social media whenever a photo is posted of big crowds that “Leeds would have taken more”.
It is an endearing insight into the level of support the Whites enjoy up and down the country every time Leeds take to the field, even when times aren’t so good.
But unfortunately, like every club, there is a minority of this otherwise wonderful fanbase who can cross the line.
The FA deemed that to be the case following a fixture with Brighton and Hove Albion last season on March 11, hitting the club hard in the pocket with a £150,000 fine and an action plan due to inappropriate chanting from the stands.
An FA statement (August 17) read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed an action plan and £150,000 fine on Leeds United for misconduct in relation to crowd control that took place during the 20th minute of their game against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday 11 March.
“Leeds United admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and do not use words or otherwise behave in a way which is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting with reference to sexual orientation.
“The independent Regulatory Commission’s action plan and written reasons for these sanctions can both be seen below.”
The verdict was accepted by Leeds, who added in their own statement on the club’s official website: “Leeds United accepts the £150,000 fine imposed by the FA regarding homophobic chanting at our fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion in March.
“Over recent years we have worked hard to eradicate homophobia in our community with the launch of Marching Out Together, sponsorship of Leeds Pride and various activities in local schools.
“Clearly our efforts have not been enough and we need to increase the work we are doing with our fanbase to ensure everyone is clear that any form of homophobia and discriminative chanting will not be accepted at Leeds United.”
There is simply no place in football for this kind of behaviour, a sentiment that the overwhelming majority of Leeds supporters will obviously support.
And the action taken by the FA is a costly reminder to Leeds supporters to behave in the stands. Show support vociferously, that is fine, but do not cross the line.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill.