Supporters of Tottenham Hotspur have been cautioned about singing a homophobic song that makes reference to Dominic Solanke of Spurs, Mason Mount of Manchester United, and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal. Following recent games where two homophobic chants were shouted by spectators, Spurs sent an email to season ticket holders before of today’s match against West Ham stating that it will adopt a “zero-tolerance approach” to prejudice. We want to start by expressing our gratitude to our supporters for their cooperation prior to the Brighton away game, where there were no allegations of homophobic shouting.
We are reminding supporters that the club has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of prejudice, and we will not be complacent,” the email said. “In order for the club to take the most severe punishment possible, our stewards will once again be wearing body cams to identify anybody engaged in inappropriate chanting. This includes any use of the words “rent boy” and the Dominic Solanke chant in regard to Mikel Arteta.
The club released a statement denouncing the “abhorrent homophobic chanting” and describing it as “unacceptable, hugely offensive, and no way to show support for the team” after the chants first appeared during Spurs’ match against Manchester United last month. The lyrics of one chant said: “Dom Solanke is f***ing class.” Dom Solanke scores again, Mike Arteta takes it to the next level, and 60 million is wasted.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) previously classed the second chant, which made reference to Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount and called him a “Chelsea rent boy” since he had previously played for Chelsea.
This cry has been aimed at other Chelsea players. The Mirror stated that the governing body would be investigating the homophobic shouting by Spurs supporters in the upcoming weeks. The FA has previously imposed hefty fines on teams whose supporters were heard singing the “rent boy” song.
The shouts were not used during the Spurs’ upcoming game in Brighton after the match against Manchester United, but the team did express their disapproval once more yesterday (October 18). Spurs’ LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, Proud Lilywhites, praised the team’s announcement and reminded supporters that homophobic yelling tells LGBTQ+ persons they “don’t belong.”
A organization called Kick It Out, which works to end prejudice in sports, supported the club’s warning and that more aggressive measures be taken throughout the game to stop homophobic and derogatory speech.
