The Anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out, Has condemned sexist chants aimed at Manchester City’s Phil Foden’s mother during the recent Manchester derby which happened During the first half of the match and again when Foden was substituted At Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home ground.
Kick out was launched in 1993 as the campaign “Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football” and became an official organization in 1997.
Sexist Chants Ruin Manchester Derby
During the Sunday’s Manchester United and Manchester City, some United fans yelled sexists chants at Phil Foden’s mom. These chants were loud and clear, especially when Foden left the field in the 57th minute. City manager Pep Guardiola slammed the chants, calling them “a lack of class” and said those who did it “should be ashamed.”
Kick It Out: “Sexism Isn’t Banter”
Hollie Varney from Kick It Out was strong in her response. She noted a rise in sexist chants in men’s football this year. “Hearing sexist chants in a stadium doesn’t just hurt the players or targets,” she said. “It makes women feel unsafe or unwelcome.” Kick It Out said this behavior is not just banter and wants football officials to act tougher.
FA Rules and the Grey Areas
FA rules say clubs must stop fans from bad acts, including chants about race, religion, gender, and more. Rule E20 bans these chants. The FA looks into all claims of hate acts. Clubs face action only if there’s enough proof of “big group discriminatory chanting.”
The FA has often acted against racism, Sexual discrimination, and Offensive chants which leads to fines, bans, or charges.
Why No Action This Time?
Despite the anger, the FA won’t punish Manchester United here. They say the chants, though mean, don’t break rules as they weren’t aimed at a player, official, or game person. Current rules don’t cover bad words aimed at someone outside the match.
The same stance was shown when Millwall fans weren’t charged for chanting “let him die” at Crystal Palace player Jean-Philippe Mateta. Other recent cases, like the abuse toward Rebekah Vardy or Bruno Fernandes, also went unpunished, raising consistency and enforcement issues.
A call for change
This has shown a big gap in football’s way of handling sexism and bad acts. Kick It Out and other groups now want clear rules leaving no doubt. Stadiums should aim to be more friendly and welcoming. Campaigners say the FA must treat all hate acts seriously, no matter who is targeted.
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