What Can Be Done To Stop The Sick Chanting?

Yesterday, in the Arsenal-Tottenham game, Arsenal fans chanted to their ex-player Adebayor, "Shot in Angola, it should have been you." Tottenham fans sang, "Sit down you bad person," to Wenger.

A couple of weeks ago, Leeds and Man U fans sang about Istanbul and the Munich Air Disaster. It's not the minority singing this - these chants can be easily heard on TV.

I could go on and on but really, what can be done to stop this?

Nothing. The fans know they can do what they like in the anonymity of the crowd and these chants won't stop. I don't understand hatred in football -- it's never something I've practiced and I doubt I could get riled up enough to wish someone dead or accuse them of fiddling so to speak.

The clubs can be targeted, and fines levied if the chants are distasteful, and then the onus is on the club to flush it out and find those singing it -- but the fact is it will be near impossible to ban thousands of people at once and I imagine the clubs themselves would rather have their money than ban them.

Does anyone really care other than the media and some oversensitive fans.

Never understood those that complain about things like this. I dont like Eastenders, I find the portrayals of various situations to be hugely misleading and inaccurate. What do I do? Don't watch it (unless the woman makes me!!)

Nature of the beast i'm afraid. If you dont like it then dont watch it.

I am afraid it is something that will persist I'm afraid. I watched it on Sky and when Sagna got injured in hitting the advertising board some yob on action replay was going nuts and yelling abuse at the guy.

Shows the mentality of the culture of people who actually think that acting like a prat is one way of portraying their views. Though it has to be said that their are well behaved fans who sometimes don't attract the media coverage that they might deserve.

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Does anyone really care other than the media and some oversensitive fans.

Never understood those that complain about things like this. I dont like Eastenders, I find the portrayals of various situations to be hugely misleading and inaccurate. What do I do? Don't watch it (unless the woman makes me!!)

Nature of the beast i'm afraid. If you dont like it then dont watch it.

Stupid comparison.

You can change channels or switch the TV off altogether. Why should someone feel forced to leave a football match they've paid to watch, just because a bunch of morons are mouthing off?

With clubs trying harder to attract families and kids (the next generation of supporters) just ignoring the problem simply isn't an option. I can't imagine any responsible parent would want their kids exposed to that kind of garbage.

Personally, I'd suggest the clubs start having some stewards patrolling the stands during the match and eavesdrop (shouldn't be that hard if there are that many doing it). They then pass on the info to the police and/or club officials, then let the law and the club sort it out. The odd bit of bad language is to be expected at football matches, but not sustained offensive chanting...or throwing of bottles, coins etc.

If people want to act like animals, there should be laws in place to make sure they're treated as such.

legendkillar wrote:I am afraid it is something that will persist I'm afraid. I watched it on Sky and when Sagna got injured in hitting the advertising board some yob on action replay was going nuts and yelling abuse at the guy.

Shows the mentality of the culture of people who actually think that acting like a prat is one way of portraying their views. Though it has to be said that their are well behaved fans who sometimes don't attract the media coverage that they might deserve.

Those are the kind of people (the nutters) the police should be getting acquainted with and informing the club so they can be banned from setting foot in the ground ever again.

It may sound harsh but thats the only thing scumbags like that understand.

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Does anyone really care other than the media and some oversensitive fans.

Never understood those that complain about things like this. I dont like Eastenders, I find the portrayals of various situations to be hugely misleading and inaccurate. What do I do? Don't watch it (unless the woman makes me!!)

Nature of the beast i'm afraid. If you dont like it then dont watch it.

My 5 year old loves football, he eats, breathes and sleeps it. Every break at school, as soon as he get's home he's playing it. Every weekend he wants to go and watch it, should he have to sit there and listen to chants about paed0s and what they'd like to do to players wives, or should he be able to actually watch a game of football and cheer on his team?

Nothing can be done at the moment unless it's racist or sectarian.

I stand by my comments. If you object to the abuse then don't go. Life is all about choices, don't complain about the ones you make.

You don't get this rabid fan behaviour in South America or USA, the only time the players deserves abuse is when they goad the fans (cupping their ears to the crowd after scoring etc.)

What can be done?

Matches played in empty stadium.

Docked points.

Tear Gas

dublfcynwa wrote:Nothing can be done at the moment unless it's racist or sectarian.

Sadly true. Legally, the clubs and the police wouldn't have a leg to stand on...unless they could justify it as public disorder / breach of the peace, or something like that.

For the clubs to be able to adopt a "zero tolerance" policy regarding offensive behaviour, I think the law would need changing so they can chuck fans out and stop them coming back.

If you think about it, nightclubs can bar people just for not following the dress code and you can be thrown out of a pub for unacceptable behaviour, if you're upsetting other patrons.

Why not something similar for football clubs? It'd be more difficult to enforce, granted, but not impossible.

Well Utd are used to it as most of their games do not pass without opposition fans singing about Munich. Nothing really can be done about it as it is down the kind of society we all live in, which won't be changing for quite a while.

cut out their tongues and sell it on e-bay.

None of the chanting is illegal, just in bad taste, so what are the police supposed to do?? And the last thing you want to do is give the power hungry stewards more of a say who sits in "their stands".

If everyone stops talking about it I'm sure it would lose steam and die out.

Whats sick about telling Wenger to sit down?

There was an advert which featured a father at his son's school play and he started chanting abuse as if he was at a football match and off course he was very embarrassed as everyone looked at him.

The majority of people who chant abuse and sick things are likely to be the type who curse and swear at their families so they are just replicating what they are like in their homes and in life in general. No help for people like that.

dondelero wrote:The majority of people who chant abuse and sick things are likely to be the type who curse and swear at their families so they are just replicating what they are like in their homes and in life in general. No help for people like that.

What exactly are you basing that on? I have mates who chant "murderers" every time they play Liverpool. 2 United fans and 1 Everton. I hate that side of them, and I often challenge them on it only for them to say "it's only a laugh". It's not a laugh to me, or the 96 people and their families that died in Hillsborough, or the 39 Juventus fans at Heysel. This chant is regularly sung when Liverpool are facing most sides, most prominently Everton and United.

My point is though, none of these people "swear at their families" or "replicating what they do at home". In fact, one of them is probably as respectful a person you'll ever meet other than when he's at the above.

PS: I'm aware that Liverpool fans have sick chants also, I wasn't trying to argue that they were victims in all this, in case you were wondering.

Its like going to watch a violent film at the cinema then complaining too many are getting killed.

As long as it is not illegal then it is fine. Dont like it, then dont go.

Talk about making an issue out of nothing.

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Its like going to watch a violent film at the cinema then complaining too many are getting killed.

As long as it is not illegal then it is fine. Dont like it, then dont go.

err.....no its not - its nothing like that. A violent film is exactly what you are paying for.

Going to a football match is to watch football, nothing more, nothing less.

Lumbering - there are plenty of football matches without this chanting - It isn't a part of the sport. It also isn't an issue in other sports. There is a difference between being offensive and abusive and having banter and trashtalking. IMO football fans are some of the wittiest people in relation to chants and I think the sick chanting is completely at odds with footballs tradition as a family orientated game for the masses. I don't think its over sensitive to say that. It certainly isn't a nothing issue.

There is nothing really that can be done. FIFA/UEFA/FA could start issuing more fines - or drastic measures like Fenerbache who have banned men from their games. They brought in 40,000 women and children under 12 to last game.

Whats needed is the clubs to step up through CCTV stewards and working with the police. Was watching the Merseyside derby at the weekend and saw a kid throw a bottle at Bellamy, a steward stood wagging his finger at him instead of having him thrown out. He wasn't anymore than 14 but what does it say when theyre learning young that you can get away with this type of behaviour

If you go to the bottom of the oceans you're likely to find an assortment of single celled organisms. If you go to a football match you're likely to see 40,000 equally primitive life forms.

marty2086 wrote:Whats needed is the clubs to step up through CCTV stewards and working with the police. Was watching the Merseyside derby at the weekend and saw a kid throw a bottle at Bellamy, a steward stood wagging his finger at him instead of having him thrown out. He wasn't anymore than 14 but what does it say when theyre learning young that you can get away with this type of behaviour

The problem with that is you will have instances of stewards getting in the neck for evicting fans and being accused of being "over-zealous" and "jumped up lil Hitlers". Then you will have calls of them spoiling games etc etc

I really doubt this problem will be sorted and can be sorted.

xTwistx - that would still sort the problems though. You really think if Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs etc took such a hard stance like that, that they would lose out on crowds? I think they would get a lot of stick, but a top club like them should have the ability to withstand that and justify it.

They could even market it well - selling cheap family tickets and taking active steps to clean up the image of the terraces.

xTwisTx wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Whats needed is the clubs to step up through CCTV stewards and working with the police. Was watching the Merseyside derby at the weekend and saw a kid throw a bottle at Bellamy, a steward stood wagging his finger at him instead of having him thrown out. He wasn't anymore than 14 but what does it say when theyre learning young that you can get away with this type of behaviour

The problem with that is you will have instances of stewards getting in the neck for evicting fans and being accused of being "over-zealous" and "jumped up lil Hitlers". Then you will have calls of them spoiling games etc etc

I really doubt this problem will be sorted and can be sorted.

Last season you had fans at OT being thrown out for singing Anti Glazer songs so if they can do that they can do it for some of the sick songs that have been sung at grounds but it is also a case where fans have to stand up and identify the culprits as the saying goes 'all that is nessacery for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing'

xTwisTx wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Whats needed is the clubs to step up through CCTV stewards and working with the police. Was watching the Merseyside derby at the weekend and saw a kid throw a bottle at Bellamy, a steward stood wagging his finger at him instead of having him thrown out. He wasn't anymore than 14 but what does it say when theyre learning young that you can get away with this type of behaviour

The problem with that is you will have instances of stewards getting in the neck for evicting fans and being accused of being "over-zealous" and "jumped up lil Hitlers". Then you will have calls of them spoiling games etc etc

I really doubt this problem will be sorted and can be sorted.

Well, as they say, you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs.

Stewards already get stick for being over-zealous "jobsworths" - I can't imagine a bit more abuse will bother them. Personally speaking, some of the chants I've heard, I would be more than happy if the clubs started instructing stewards to throw out anyone - whatever their age - for persistent offensive behaviour.

I would, of course, apply my usual "3 strikes and you're out" rule. You get 3 warnings and if you ignore them...out you go.

Just for extra "incentive" I would also have a rule that season ticket holders who are expelled 3 times, have their tickets revoked.

I also don't think it would be that difficult for all clubs to formulate and agree to a policy, regarding chants about sporting tragedies, e.g. Munich, Turkey, Hillsborough and Heysel as well as slanderous / personal attacks on individuals (mangers or players).

They could have notices all over the grounds, warning fans that such behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone caught doing so, will be immediately escorted from the ground.

Of course, it would likely cost the clubs more to try and enforce this policy (more stewards etc.) but I think it would pay-off in the long term, seeing as The Powers That Be have been trying to make football more family-oriented (some might say more "middle-class").

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Its like going to watch a violent film at the cinema then complaining too many are getting killed.

As long as it is not illegal then it is fine. Dont like it, then dont go.

Talk about making an issue out of nothing.

How about the players themselves. Should Adebayor have to listen to those chants when playing. I dont think the players really have an option not to go and play, but we do have the ability to stop the ridiculous chanting.

My view is it has alway's been part of football and it's not going to change. If people are so offended by it or don't want their kid's to hear it then go to a rugby or cricket match because a large portion of British football fan's are complete animals with limited intelligence.

But that still doesnt take into account that the players themselves have to be subjected to this. If racism has been kicked out of football then this can be aswell

People are going on as if this is something new - I have been going to football for nearly 30 years and there has always been this kind of chanting at players, or at fans, or at the referee.

I am not condoning all of it, some is really bad taste, but are we oversensitising everything these days? I think so!

I also think players will continue to become targets for opposition fans, as long as they are so far detatched from reality, some fans will hold them in contempt, purely based on their wage packet!

I dont think the players really have an option not to go and play

Tell that to Carlos Tevez.

I would also say be careful of what you wish for......today your being thrown out for chanting sick songs, next it'll be for chanting for the board to resign or wanting the manager out..........in other words, who decides what chant is worthy of ejection?

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Its like going to watch a violent film at the cinema then complaining too many are getting killed.

As long as it is not illegal then it is fine. Dont like it, then dont go.

Talk about making an issue out of nothing.

This kind of thinking although quite widespread is part of the problem. People forget they are actually going to a football match, this type are not there for football at all, as evidenced by the munich chants that Utd have been getting for probably 40 odd years. They come to OT not to watch their team play there but chant stuff about Utd, they probably couldn't care less if their team won or lost as long as they get a chance to sing a munich song or whatever.

liverbnz wrote:

dondelero wrote:The majority of people who chant abuse and sick things are likely to be the type who curse and swear at their families so they are just replicating what they are like in their homes and in life in general. No help for people like that.

What exactly are you basing that on? I have mates who chant "murderers" every time they play Liverpool. 2 United fans and 1 Everton. I hate that side of them, and I often challenge them on it only for them to say "it's only a laugh". It's not a laugh to me, or the 96 people and their families that died in Hillsborough, or the 39 Juventus fans at Heysel. This chant is regularly sung when Liverpool are facing most sides, most prominently Everton and United.

My point is though, none of these people "swear at their families" or "replicating what they do at home". In fact, one of them is probably as respectful a person you'll ever meet other than when he's at the above.

PS: I'm aware that Liverpool fans have sick chants also, I wasn't trying to argue that they were victims in all this, in case you were wondering.

Well you might be surprised, people don't all of a sudden change at a football match, if they curse and swear there, they more than likely do it everywhere else. The question probably needs to be asked what is a "sick" chant? for eg This maybe controversial but if one is of the opinion that it was Liverpool fans who were to blame for Heysel, and therefore viewed the club in that way. Isn't it likely that this would come out in their chants against Liverpool fans? Could it be said that this chanting is "sick"?

dondelero wrote:

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Its like going to watch a violent film at the cinema then complaining too many are getting killed.

As long as it is not illegal then it is fine. Dont like it, then dont go.

Talk about making an issue out of nothing.

This kind of thinking although quite widespread is part of the problem. People forget they are actually going to a football match, this type are not there for football at all, as evidenced by the munich chants that Utd have been getting for probably 40 odd years. They come to OT not to watch their team play there but chant stuff about Utd, they probably couldn't care less if their team won or lost as long as they get a chance to sing a munich song or whatever.

liverbnz wrote:

dondelero wrote:The majority of people who chant abuse and sick things are likely to be the type who curse and swear at their families so they are just replicating what they are like in their homes and in life in general. No help for people like that.

What exactly are you basing that on? I have mates who chant "murderers" every time they play Liverpool. 2 United fans and 1 Everton. I hate that side of them, and I often challenge them on it only for them to say "it's only a laugh". It's not a laugh to me, or the 96 people and their families that died in Hillsborough, or the 39 Juventus fans at Heysel. This chant is regularly sung when Liverpool are facing most sides, most prominently Everton and United.

My point is though, none of these people "swear at their families" or "replicating what they do at home". In fact, one of them is probably as respectful a person you'll ever meet other than when he's at the above.

PS: I'm aware that Liverpool fans have sick chants also, I wasn't trying to argue that they were victims in all this, in case you were wondering.

Well you might be surprised, people don't all of a sudden change at a football match, if they curse and swear there, they more than likely do it everywhere else. The question probably needs to be asked what is a "sick" chant? for eg This maybe controversial but if one is of the opinion that it was Liverpool fans who were to blame for Heysel, and therefore viewed the club in that way. Isn't it likely that this would come out in their chants against Liverpool fans? Could it be said that this chanting is "sick"?

Any chanting about human tragedy is sick , you sound like your saying it's ok to direct chants at Liverpool fans about Heysel if you think Liverpool fan's were to blame for the death of 39 people.

Adam D (Hobo) wrote:

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Its like going to watch a violent film at the cinema then complaining too many are getting killed.

As long as it is not illegal then it is fine. Dont like it, then dont go.

err.....no its not - its nothing like that. A violent film is exactly what you are paying for.

Going to a football match is to watch football, nothing more, nothing less.

Er... No it's not. Why do matches have heavy police and steward presence, becuase of the nature of the game. This is nothing new, and it won't change. Footballers are paid huge sums of money so I struggle to feel sorry about a song being sang about them. Its not as if they hate the guy when they are outside the stadium.

The fact is people know what to expect at a match. I don't agree with the anti-ashley songs Newcastle fans sing,. Do I complain like a half cut sissy, of course not, I accept that is part of football.

Don't like it, don't watch it. Simple.

Lumbering_Jack wrote:

Adam D (Hobo) wrote:

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Its like going to watch a violent film at the cinema then complaining too many are getting killed.

As long as it is not illegal then it is fine. Dont like it, then dont go.

err.....no its not - its nothing like that. A violent film is exactly what you are paying for.

Going to a football match is to watch football, nothing more, nothing less.

Er... No it's not. Why do matches have heavy police and steward presence, becuase of the nature of the game. This is nothing new, and it won't change. Footballers are paid huge sums of money so I struggle to feel sorry about a song being sang about them. Its not as if they hate the guy when they are outside the stadium.

The fact is people know what to expect at a match. I don't agree with the anti-ashley songs Newcastle fans sing,. Do I complain like a half cut sissy, of course not, I accept that is part of football.

Don't like it, don't watch it. Simple.

It is quite plainfully obvious that you are part of the problem then.

Irrespective of what people earn, they shouldnt be subjected to personal abuse.

Anyone who does so, and any one who accepts it, are plainly dim and part of the problems that are wrong with society.

Far right hooliganism & racism was (and is still as an undercurrent at some clubs) a huge element of football for many years.
Shall we just just let that happen again too as it's 'part of the game'.
If I take my five year old to a match should I be expecting some skinhead to give him a Chelsea smile and it'd be my fault for not realising that came hand in hand with wanting to watch 22 men kick a ball around a pitch.
Just because something happens in the stands doesn't mean it should happen.

lumbering_jack - Can you then explain what being shot in Angola has to do with football? Why bother going to a football match if you are not actually there to watch the game but just to chant nonsense at players? Mind you probably you are just winding people up with your comments.

Sticks and stones etc...

Players know exactly what they are getting in to before they start playing. Don't like it, chose a different job.

It is part of the football culture, it does not hurt anyone so I really fail to see the issue. Its like a policeman complaining the people try to attack him when he is doing his job. Knew exactly what he was signing up for.

I don't watch things I don't like, eliminates the need to whine about it.

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Sticks and stones etc...

Players know exactly what they are getting in to before they start playing. Don't like it, chose a different job.

It is part of the football culture, it does not hurt anyone so I really fail to see the issue. Its like a policeman complaining the people try to attack him when he is doing his job. Knew exactly what he was signing up for.

I don't watch things I don't like, eliminates the need to whine about it.

Doesnt make it right though does it! If a fireman was severly burnt trying to save people in fire would you say 'You knew what you signed up for' rather than well done for trying to help people?

Lumbering Jack has a point - this is nothing new, but that doesnt make it right of course

Very well done lumbering Jack, you have actually convinced some people that what you say makes sense.

Yeah the people on those planes on 9/11 should've had an idea that a plane could be hijacked and used as bomb. So shouldn't really feel sorry for them eh?

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Sticks and stones etc...

Players know exactly what they are getting in to before they start playing. Don't like it, chose a different job.

It is part of the football culture, it does not hurt anyone so I really fail to see the issue. Its like a policeman complaining the people try to attack him when he is doing his job. Knew exactly what he was signing up for.

I don't watch things I don't like, eliminates the need to whine about it.

Okay, so what about people who love football, but don't want to have to listen to mindless morons spewing vile and disgusting language or chants (or have to try to explain to their kids that its not acceptable behaviour)?

Why should they be forced to stay at home and watch games on TV?

As I've said before, shouting and swearing are only to be expected at sporting matches, as supporters obivously get passionate about the game and their team.

However, there is a world of difference between a bit of excited / annoyed effing and blinding and some of the sick and disgusting behaviour that is sadly all too prevalent in the game today.

dyrewolfe wrote:

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Sticks and stones etc...

Players know exactly what they are getting in to before they start playing. Don't like it, chose a different job.

It is part of the football culture, it does not hurt anyone so I really fail to see the issue. Its like a policeman complaining the people try to attack him when he is doing his job. Knew exactly what he was signing up for.

I don't watch things I don't like, eliminates the need to whine about it.

Okay, so what about people who love football, but don't want to have to listen to mindless morons spewing vile and disgusting language or chants (or have to try to explain to their kids that its not acceptable behaviour)?

Why should they be forced to stay at home and watch games on TV?

As I've said before, shouting and swearing are only to be expected at sporting matches, as supporters obivously get passionate about the game and their team.

However, there is a world of difference between a bit of excited / annoyed effing and blinding and some of the sick and disgusting behaviour that is sadly all too prevalent in the game today.

You say you don't mind swearing, and what you object to is the vile chants, which don't always contain swear words. If your child does not understand the chants, great, no harm done. If they do understand them then they are no worse off than before.

Don't see the issue to be honest.

dondelero wrote:Very well done lumbering Jack, you have actually convinced some people that what you say makes sense.

Yeah the people on those planes on 9/11 should've had an idea that a plane could be hijacked and used as bomb. So shouldn't really feel sorry for them eh?

Exactly, now you're getting it.

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Exactly, now you're getting it.

But lumbering Jack it was a fairly serious debate why do you think you had to wind people up?

Lumbering_Jack wrote:

dyrewolfe wrote:

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Sticks and stones etc...

Players know exactly what they are getting in to before they start playing. Don't like it, chose a different job.

It is part of the football culture, it does not hurt anyone so I really fail to see the issue. Its like a policeman complaining the people try to attack him when he is doing his job. Knew exactly what he was signing up for.

I don't watch things I don't like, eliminates the need to whine about it.

Okay, so what about people who love football, but don't want to have to listen to mindless morons spewing vile and disgusting language or chants (or have to try to explain to their kids that its not acceptable behaviour)?

Why should they be forced to stay at home and watch games on TV?

As I've said before, shouting and swearing are only to be expected at sporting matches, as supporters obivously get passionate about the game and their team.

However, there is a world of difference between a bit of excited / annoyed effing and blinding and some of the sick and disgusting behaviour that is sadly all too prevalent in the game today.

You say you don't mind swearing, and what you object to is the vile chants, which don't always contain swear words. If your child does not understand the chants, great, no harm done. If they do understand them then they are no worse off than before.

Don't see the issue to be honest.

Not surprising as you seem to be intellectually impaired, or just being deliberately obtuse.

The issue is not whether kids understand them or not. Its the fact they imitate what they see and you then have to explain why they shouldn't do it.

Also, chants as well all know, don't have to contain swearing to be incredibly offensive. Again, kids don't have to understand them, just pick up on them and then wonder why Mum / Dad are telling them not to do it.

Adults shouldn't have to put up with it either.

Picture yourself as a black or coloured person in Spain who happens to be a football fan. Would you still feel like going to matches when a bunch of fans start making monkey noises or using racist language against some of the players?

What can be done to stop sick chanting?
Give them a lemsip, works for me all the time...

This is why I stay away from British football grounds, the fans are so r3tarded and have no respect for anyone. I may have only been to 8 or 9 games but I didn't need to shout abuse at anyone. The FA has no balls to do anything.