The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have warned that they are ready to take action against any fans caught using the homophobic "rent boy" chant, allowing for the FA to sanction individual clubs.
An alarming increased use of the slur has been evident this season, with a section of Milwall supporters the latest to use the "Chelsea rent boy" chant towards Crystal Palace loanee Conor Gallagher in the Eagles' third round FA Cup win at The Den on Saturday.
Milwall have since promised a lifetime ban for anybody found guilty of such discriminatory abuse.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Leeds United have also all had to issue statements this season over chants directed towards Chelsea players.
On a number of occasions, the FA has suggested that they do not have the authority to launch disciplinary sanctions against clubs regarding the term because it had not been deemed as discriminatory by the CPS.
It also means the police have been unable to take any criminal action against individual fans.
Now, as revealed by Telegraph Sport, the CPS have confirmed that they do regard the term as a homophobic slur that amounts to a hate crime.
As a result, the FA can now take disciplinary action against clubs when their supporters take part in any discriminatory action, as we've seen in the past regarding racist chanting.
When asked about the "rent boy" chant specifically, a CPS spokesperson told The Telegraph: "The CPS continues to take racist and homophobic chanting at football matches extremely seriously and is working closely with the FA, football clubs and charities to drive this hideous behaviour out of the game.
“The impact on groups attacked by this type of mob behaviour can be devastating. We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone of these actions where there is sufficient evidence to do so.”
It's an incredibly important development and, hopefully, the measure will help to limit use of the slur in the future.
