Jack Wilshere's £40,000 FA fine for leading anti-Tottenham chants at Arsenal's 2015 trophy parade

Jack Wilshere was handed a £40,000 fine and a formal warning by the Football Association after leading a string of obscene anti-Tottenham chants during Arsenal’s FA Cup trophy parade in 2015. The midfielder, then 23, seized the microphone in front of more than 500,000 supporters lining the streets of Islington as the Gunners celebrated back-to-back FA Cup victories.

Wilshere opened by asking the crowd what they thought of Tottenham before encouraging them to sing a series of expletive-laden chants about their north London rivals. When the microphone was removed, he grabbed it back to lead a further chant. Arsenal issued a public apology during their own media coverage of the event, and Wilshere was spoken to by club officials on the day.

The FA subsequently charged Wilshere with misconduct, finding him guilty of “making and/or inciting certain comments during the club’s open bus trophy tour after their FA Cup Final victory, with his conduct deemed to be improper and bringing the game into disrepute.” Wilshere admitted the charge and accepted the fine alongside a severe warning about his future conduct.

Former Arsenal striker Niall Quinn was among those to publicly criticise the player, accusing him of “overstepping the mark.” Wilshere also posted an apology on social media, writing: “Sharing back-to-back Cup wins with so many amazing Gooners is a dream come true. Apologies if I upset or offended any of u with my celebrations.”

The 2015 parade was Arsenal’s first since winning the FA Cup the previous year and, as it turned out, would be their last for a decade. The club’s next piece of silverware came with the 2020 FA Cup, but that final against Chelsea was played behind closed doors during the pandemic and no parade was held. Arsenal’s next trophy celebration on the streets of north London therefore did not take place until 2025, when the club marked their Premier League title win.