The Football Association (FA) announced on Friday that Wolverhampton Wanderers has been fined £100,000 ($131,000) due to homophobic chanting by a section of their supporters during a Premier League match against Chelsea in April.
The FA has responded by implementing a plan of action to address such unacceptable behavior, which will take effect immediately and remain in place throughout the upcoming season.
This initiative aims to raise awareness and prevent incidents of discrimination in football, emphasising the importance of fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all participants and spectators.
"The punishment relates to the 'Chelsea rent boy' chant, which is defined as a homophobic slur and was made a prosecutable offence for anyone found to sing or use the words by the Crown Prosecution Service in January 2022...," the FA said in a statement.
"The Football Association now considers this specific chant to amount to a breach of FA Rules and reserve the right to pursue formal disciplinary action against any club whose supporters engage in such behaviour going forward."
Wolves have expressed their acceptance of the FA's decision and have committed to taking appropriate action against those identified and found guilty of engaging in homophobic chanting.
The club has affirmed that these individuals will face significant stadium bans as a consequence of their actions. Wolves' stance demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all supporters, emphasizing that such discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated.
By enforcing stringent punishments, the club aims to send a strong message against homophobia and promote a more inclusive football culture.
