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Tottenham have warned fans not to sing a homophobic chant that references Mikel Arteta and Dominic Solanke.
Spurs will be back in action on Saturday when they take on West Ham in a London derby following the international break, but supporters have been messaged prior to the match.
The club have sent an email out to season ticket holders this week warning that they will take ‘a zero-tolerance approach’ to discriminatory chants or behaviour, seemingly in reference to the particular song.
It appeared to surface during Spurs’ 3-0 win over Manchester United three weeks ago, with the club sending out a statement after that game condemning the chants and promising consequences.
Now, there has been another memo sent out, with threats of action made if anyone is heard or seen singing the chant during the game against West Ham.
Tottenham have warned fans not to sing a homophobic chant ahead of their game against West Ham
A chant aimed at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was brought to light after Spurs’ win against Manchester United
The email read: ‘Dear Supporter. We should firstly like to thank our fans for their cooperation following our previous communication on this matter ahead of the Brighton away fixture, at which there were no reports of homophobic chanting.
‘Ahead of tomorrow’s home fixture with West Ham United, we will not be complacent and are therefore reminding supporters that the Club takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination.
‘Our stewards will once again be wearing body cams to identify any individuals involved in unacceptable chanting so that the Club can take the strongest possible action, in line with our Sanctions & Banning Policy.
‘For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Dominic Solanke chant with reference to Mikel Arteta and any use of the term “Rent Boy” – which the Crown Prosecution Service considers a homophobic slur and hate crime.
‘Stewards will identify those instigating and participating in any such chants – including those covering their mouths. Abuse and intimidation towards our stewards will not be tolerated either, with bans issued where necessary.
It also references star striker Dominic Solanke and fans have been warned that the club ‘can take the strongest possible action’
The message ahead of the game was sent out to season ticket holders via email – Ange Postecoglou’s side are the early kick off on Saturday
‘We are justly proud of our superb and loyal support, home and away. However, we all have a responsibility to act as ambassadors of Tottenham Hotspur and discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club.
‘We look forward to seeing our fans back at our home stadium, supporting the team in a manner that all our fans can enjoy and be a part of.’
After the United fixture, Spurs wrote in a statement that they were aware of ‘abhorrent homophobic chanting’ from sections of the Spurs crowd during the game.
The chant was also slammed by Spurs LGBT group ‘Proud Lilywhites’ after the United game, as well as anti-discrimination in football organisers Kick It Out.
