Liverpool FC's LGBT+ supporter group have praised the recent crackdown on homophobic chants by Merseyside Police.
The force announced yesterday, Tuesday, January 24, three men were arrested for alleged homophobic chanting at Liverpool's match against Chelsea at Anfield.
The men, aged 23, 37, and 49, were arrested following three separate incidents in Anfield stadium and on Anfield Road on Saturday, January 21. They were arrested "on suspicion of homophobic intentional harassment alarm and distress".
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Paul Amann, founder of Kop Outs, told the ECHO to have fans not only be non-homophobic but actively anti-homophobic was a "watershed moment".
He said: “Education has led to massively reduced vile chanting, but enforcement is welcome to deal with those who persist and choose to be LGBT+ phobic.
“To have so many decent fans choose to be allies, to choose to stand with Kop Outs is enormously humbling. It is right and proper that those few individuals, who haven't listened to our ask and that of the vast majority of their fellow fans, have faced arrest.
“This is a watershed moment of change, demonstrating a maturity of the majority of fans being not just non-homophobic, but being actively anti-homophobic. Our fans have supported our call to retire the chant; spelling out in that solidarity, the very ethos of you'll never walk alone.”
The 37-year-old arrested was bailed pending further enquiries, whereas the 23-year and 49-year-old will attend a voluntary interview. A further 16 people were also ejected from the stadium by stewards for various offences during the Premier League match including Hillsborough chants.
Superintendent Paul Sutcliffe and match commander for Saturday's game said: “Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form, and we will bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing any offensive chanting. In this instance, if the three suspects are charged and found guilty of the offence, then we will be seeking football banning orders on them.”
He added: “It is vital that anyone who witnesses such an offence reports it to stewards or the police immediately, so we can take the necessary action. As with all matches, we work very closely with both clubs to ensure the safety of the public and the teams themselves.”
The ECHO reported this time last year how the Crown Prosecution Service had planned to make the homophobic football chant, aimed at Chelsea FS, a hate crime throughout England and Wales. A CPS spokesperson said: "We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone of these actions where there is sufficient evidence to do so."
To report a hate crime contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
If for any reason, you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK runs a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org.
You can report an incident of discrimination in football - whether it took place online or at a grassroots, non-league or professional game – by downloading the Kick It Out app.
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