We are told that there will be an investigation by the Football Association, for which Columbo and Miss Marple can probably take the day off. Television viewers heard a group of Manchester City supporters use the “rent boy” chant towards Chelsea players. Chelsea supporters heard it. Manchester City supporters heard it. An FA spokesperson said “We strongly condemn the use of the term ‘rent boy’ and we are determined to drive it out of our game”. As investigations go, it is something of a tap in.
If things do get a little complicated, there’s plenty of precedent to use as a crutch. Last week, Manchester United were being investigated for the same chant against Frank Lampard. Before them it was Nottingham Forest. Last season, Liverpool, Leeds and Tottenham all issued statements condemning the use of the same term. Nothing is improving.
Generously affording the benefit of little doubt, let’s say that, for some, this is an issue of education. Supporters don’t understand why using the term is homophobic. Here’s a quick explainer: it is used as a slur. It is not simply a term for a male prostitute (as some will claim) but for a man who sells sex to another man. It therefore implies strongly that homosexuality is a cause for shame. That’s homophobia.
Another attempted defence is that the term’s meaning has changed to fit the intention of this chant. You aren’t making any passing comment on homophobia, merely altering the definition to include a player who signed for a rich club for money. To which the answer is: nonsense. Rival supporters sang it at Chelsea players long before Roman Abramovich. And that doesn’t alter its homophobia. You don’t get to choose what it means.
It’s only banter, of course. It’s always f***ing banter because that is the easiest explanation by those who cause offence for the offence they have caused, in that it requires zero introspection or self-examination. Banter is used like the non-apology apology: “Sorry if this made you feel bad, but because I didn’t give it a second’s thought I’m afraid that, ultimately, you are responsible for how you feel so it’s really your fault.”
Perhaps the banter brigade might take the time to look beyond their own tiny sphere of experience and ask those around them. After Forest supporters chanted homophobic slurs at Chelsea players last week, the club’s own LGBT+ supporters group questioned whether they were even welcome at their own club’s ground by their fellow fans. The chant makes LGBT+ people feel uncomfortable and victimised. You’re literally alienating people in your core community. Governing bodies and LGBT+ allies have both made it abundantly clear that the chant is unacceptable.
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What is less clear is why nothing of note has been done. If scores of supporters were singing a racist chant, punishments would swiftly, and rightly, follow. Melbourne Victory were fined $5000 (£2,850) after a small group of fans chanted homophobic phrases at gay footballer Josh Cavallo of Adelaide United. In rugby league, Hull KR were fined last year for using homophobic chants against opposition players. But in UK football, no fines.
The framework should be in place. In August 2021, Edleen John, the FA’s equality, diversity and inclusion director, insisted that homophobic singing be put on the same level as racism when it comes to policing and eradication. John explained that the FA needed to “get to a place where the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) systems view it in that same way so that the actions can be taken”.
By January 2022, the CPS had made its own feelings clear. “Along with racist slurs we have reconfirmed that homophobic chants are unacceptable and could be subject to prosecution if there is sufficient evidence after a police investigation,” Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill QC, told the Daily Mirror.
“As a mark of how seriously we take this offending we will always ask for harsher sentences as it amounts to a hate crime.”
So why nothing? Everybody claims that they are taking this matter seriously. Every club condemns the supporters who partake in it. Every governing body says that it is unacceptable and must be addressed. But why are those who have actions at their disposal fighting words with words? Or is the unpleasant truth that the majority opinion is simply not as committed to having homophobic abuse stamped out as they are other discrimination?
We have two options here: we can keep on making bland statements, keep on urging people to do better, keep on discussing education (which clearly is important). Or we can do all of those things while also taking concrete action against those who sing these chants and the clubs they support. Anything other than an immediate commitment to that second course of action – and we have not seen any teeth yet – is a lamentable abandonment of those who we claim to safeguard. And then we wonder why this environment might seem daunting for those who feel unable to come out.
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