Offensive Chanting

[Heliosphan]

The latest furor surrounding football is offensive chanting by rival fans. The link below relates specifically to chants made by Man U and Liverpool supporters, something that has gone on for as long as I can remember.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19617438

Is Joe Jordan correct in asking for such a ban or are these fans merely exercising freedom of speech and expression?

Obviously, offensive (or racist) chants are not exclusive to these two clubs. For example, Rotherham United are looking to impose a life ban on supporters who, shall we say, were not too complimentary of the diversity found in the city of Bradford.

What do people think, ban for life or just let them get on with it?

[DUFC]

What would be the point in banning them, say for instance 200 fans chant, they gonna ban them all? Are they fuck
I hear it all the time, whenever we play celtic or rangers, its all pro IRA chanting, or with rangers UVF etc, no one i know takes it personally, in fact it makes other fans retaliate, which i enjoy because of the atmosphere. However victims of IRA, or the 96, or Bradford may not think its remotely funny. And nor do i.

[MuZiZZle]

what were the anti liverpool chants then?

I do quite like the "In your Liverpool slums" one, it's amusing

[smiith]

It will always be there.. It's the same as saying if fans boo Terry for his court case, should they be banned? Because at the end of the day, thats also discrimination..

Its never going to be ended in football.. If a whole stadium chants racist shit at someone, they gonna throw everyone out and stop them coming back?

Doubtful.

Who would decide where the line was between offensive and non offensive?

[Randyransford91]

I was at the Rotherham Vs. Bradford game, and it wasnt as bad as they are making it out to be. There was a slight moment where certain 'idots' that seem to turn up every now and then decide to chant 'You're just a town full of pakis'. Yeah it's racist, or is it? Thats a total different avenue. But tbh because so many people take the above so many different ways it's unacceptable. But for the other chant which was 'Your curry's ready, it's time to go home' id class that as a bit of banter to be honest.. But people will have different views of it all the time. It will never be stamped out, too many idiots that have a few beers and are then instant world beaters and dish constant abuse out. It spoils the game. But footballers need to just shrug it off and get on with it, yeah i know it should'nt be tolorated but if you ignore them people will soon get bored!

[smiith]

End of the day, its impossible to stop, some people will take being called a cunt offensive, where others will laugh it off..