A homophobic football chant could now be prosecuted as a hate crime throughout England and Wales.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the chant, which is aimed at Chelsea FC and which Liverpool FC boss Jurgen Klopp and an Everton fans' group called on supporters not to sing earlier this season, could amount to a hate crime.
A CPS spokesperson, as reported by Gay Times, said: "We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone of these actions where there is sufficient evidence to do so."
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The news has been welcomed by Liverpool's FC LGBT+ supporters group Kop Outs.
Paul Amann, founder of the group, told the ECHO : "Kop Outs want all fans to think before they chant. At Liverpool we have an amazing range of songs and chants to positively support our team, so let's do that.
"If any fan wants to be an ally and hears something homophobic, consider asking them to stop, or sing something positive to drown them out."
In previous months, both Everton and Liverpool FC have condemned their own fans for singing the chant.
Everton's LGBT+ supporters group, Rainbow Toffees identified the chants on Twitter during the second half of the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last December.
At the time, they wrote: "It's wrong, it's homophobic & needs to stop. We have brought this up with the club in the past & will be bringing it up again."
And after Norwich's on-loan Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour was the specific targets of abuse during the first Liverpool FC game of this season, manager Jurgen Klopp urged "idiot" fans to stop using the chant.
Klopp invited Paul Amann to the Reds' training centre in Kirkby to discuss the impact of homophobia in football.
The Liverpool boss said : "At the Norwich game, I only heard after for two reasons - the noise, thank God there was noise again, as well as the language, I don't get all the songs - but there was obviously this specific incident.
"I never understand that, why you would sing a song that is against something in a football stadium? I never got that and I never like it.
"Actually, I think it's easy - it's easy to decide not to sing that song anymore. Obviously I've since heard it. It's from no perspective the nicest song in the world, so it's not necessary.
"It obviously makes people uncomfortable of our own fan group. For our supporters group and for me, that means: done, let's go for another one. I really think it's an easy decision and should be an easy decision.
"I'm not sure if people listen to me but it would be nice. I don't want to hear it any more for so many reasons."
Tracey Brown, the co-chair of Chelsea Pride, said: "It’s really positive to see the CPS make a clear statement on their position."
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