A Liverpool FC fan was refused entry to the FA Cup final after shouting homophobic abuse.
Paul Boardman, from Sefton, was not able to see The Reds beat Chelsea on penalties at the showpiece event at Wembley after being caught singing the abusive chant. Police officers prevented the 34-year-old from entering the stadium, on May 14 last year, by seizing his ticket before he was given a dispersal order, as reported by The Mirror.
The Liverpool fan was heard shouting the chant - which became a hate crime last year – at Wembley Park Underground station while on his way to the final. Boardman was later interviewed and pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress, contrary to Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.
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The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Boardman pleaded guilty at his first hearing at Westminister Magistrates’ Court and was then sentenced at the same court on Monday, December 5. Boardman was fined £400, which was increased by £100 to reflect the hate crime and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £40.
Douglas Mackay, the lead sports prosecutor for the CPS, claimed this case can serve as a "timely reminder" that homophobic chanting will be prosecuted and encouraged other supporters to report offenders.
He told Mirror Football: “Boardman was stopped from watching his team win the FA Cup as he directed homophobic chants to Chelsea fans ahead of one of the biggest games in the sporting calendar. This case serves as a timely reminder that homophobic chanting can be, and has been, prosecuted and can lead to a criminal record and a lasting impact.
“The CPS will continue to work closely with the police, football authorities and fan groups to stamp this out to make sure that football is a game for everyone and not one that discriminates against anyone. We call on football fans to report incidents of hate crime and other abuse to the football clubs and the police.”
The chant has become notorious over the last few years with it being heard at both Liverpool FC and Everton FC games. Most recently, the chant was aimed at Everton manager Frank Lampard during his side's defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday, January 6.
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Prior to this, manager Jurgen Klopp ured “idiot fans” to stop using the chant after Norwich’s on-loan Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour was on the receiving end of the abuse in 2021. The Liverpool boss invited Paul Amann, Liverpool FC’s LGBT+ supporters group founder, to the Reds’ training centre in Kirkby to discuss the impact of homophobia in football.
Klopp said: "At the Norwich game, I only heard after for two reasons - the noise, thank God there was the noise again, as well as the language, I don't get all the songs - but there was obviously this specific incident.
"I never understand that, why you would sing a song that is against something in a football stadium? I never got that and I never like it. Actually, I think it's easy - it's easy to decide not to sing that song anymore. Obviously, I've since heard it. It's from no perspective the nicest song in the world, so it's not necessary.
"It obviously makes people uncomfortable in our own fan group. For our supporters' group and for me, that means: done, let's go for another one. I really think it's an easy decision and should be an easy decision. I'm not sure if people listen to me but it would be nice. I don't want to hear it anymore for so many reasons."
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