Hull City has been fined £30,000 and issued a minimum three-year ban to three supporters following discriminatory chanting during their FA Cup match against Chelsea in February. The Football Association charged the club with failing "to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters) do not use words or behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, indecent or insulting way with a reference - whether express or implied - to sexual orientation."
Hull City accepted the charge, and the club has publicly condemned the "offensive and inappropriate language used by the supporters responsible," recognizing the chant as a homophobic slur that may constitute a hate crime. Spectators were repeatedly warned to stop the chanting over the stadium's PA system, and messages were displayed on screens during the match.
The club is reminding supporters that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated as they prepare to face Chelsea again in the Premier League. Three individuals were arrested in connection with homophobic chanting during the February fixture at the MKM Stadium. A fan group described the chanting as a "stain on our game."