Hull City fined £30,000 for homophobic chanting during FA Cup defeat to Chelsea

Hull City have been fined £30,000 by the Football Association for homophobic chanting by supporters during their 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea in February, with an independent regulatory commission also issuing the club an action plan.

The chanting in question centred on a slur that Hull City acknowledged in a statement is “recognised as a homophobic slur” and whose use “may constitute a hate crime.” Three supporters identified as having taken part have been banned by the club for a minimum of three years, and the club warned that individuals found using the chant “may be arrested and face criminal charges.”

“Hull City condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the offensive and inappropriate language used by the supporters responsible,” the club said. “Discrimination of any kind is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

The fine and action plan arrive ahead of Hull’s Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and the club used the occasion to remind supporters of their obligations. The timing adds further scrutiny to a fixture that already carries significance: Hull are yet to concede a Premier League goal since winning promotion, having beaten Manchester United and Coventry before drawing with Aston Villa.

Friday also brought separate news from the club after winger Sorba Thomas was involved in a road traffic accident near Hull’s Cottingham training ground. Images circulating on social media showed a Land Rover Defender with a personalised registration lying upside down beside a narrow residential street, with fire engines and police attending the scene at around 9am. Hull confirmed the Wales international was driving but stated he is “totally unscathed” and will travel with the squad for the Chelsea fixture. Manager Sergej Jakirovic was also pictured at the scene.