Following homophobic chants by supporters at Brighton on the first day of the Premier League season, Luton Town was fined £120,000.
The Hatters, who have also been given a two-year action plan, have acknowledged the accusation and declared that the club would ban any supporters who participated in this behaviour during the 4-1 loss to Albion on August 12.
According to an FA statement: “Luton Town has been fined £120,000 and given an action plan by an independent Regulatory Commission for their misbehaviour regarding crowd control during their Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
“Luton Town admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion; and do not use words or otherwise behave in a way which is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting with either express or implied reference to sexual orientation.”
In May, Luton, who made their first-ever promotion to the English Premier League in thirty-one years, released a statement describing themselves as a “inclusive, family-oriented Club” that “abhors” abusive chanting like this.
The Bedfordshire team stated in their statement: “The Club accepted a charge following supporters’ abusive, offensive, homophobic, and discriminatory chanting during the away Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, August 12th.
“Luton Town is a welcoming, family-friendly club that has a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination of any kind. We detest abusive chanting like this one. It is unacceptable to treat people in football or the larger community in person or online.
“Those involved were committing a criminal offence, and anyone found out will be banned from the Club and may even be the subject of a police investigation.”
“Those involved were committing a criminal offence, and anyone found out will be banned from the Club and may even be the subject of a police investigation.”
“Luton Town has worked with supporters in recent seasons to help form the Rainbow Hatters supporters’ group for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who meet regularly to share their experiences of watching the Hatters.”
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