An LGBT+ group made up of Manchester United supporters has urged the club to act over derogatory chants aimed at Frank Lampard during the club’s FA Cup Third Round clash with Everton on Friday.
Rainbow Devils says it “condemns” the “illegal and homophobic” song directed at the Toffees boss from a “section” of the Old Trafford faithful. It called on the club to take action against those who took part in response.
A tweet from Rainbow Devils said: “We strongly condemn the taunting of Frank Lampard with the illegal and homophobic chant from a section of our fans and call for the club to take action. @ManUtd.”
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In another it added: “We call on @ManUtd to do everything in their power to identify the culprits and deal with them in the strongest possible manner.”
Rainbow Devils says its mission is “to empower and celebrate LGBT+ Manchester United supporters and our allies and to provide a safe and inclusive space within the game of football.”
It describes itself as “a community providing a voice for our members and working with the Club, football authorities and other like-minded organisations to promote an inclusive environment free from all forms of discrimination with a focus on homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.”
In October the club vowed to work with supporters to tackle homophobia and other forms of discrimination. In a statement, the club said: “Homophobia, like all forms of discrimination, has no place in football. Manchester United is proud of our diverse fan base and the work we have done to reduce instances like we sadly heard at Stamford Bridge.
“We will continue to campaign for inclusivity and to tackle discriminatory abuse whether inside stadiums or online. This includes working with fan groups to educate fans on the offence which discriminatory language causes.”
It was revealed last year that the Crown Prosecution Service will regard the chant as a homophobic hate crime.
On the pitch, Erik ten Hag's side booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup thanks to goals from Antony and Marcus Rashford, either side of a Conor Coady own goal. The Everton defender had equalised for his side in the first half but the Reds managed to pull away in the second half before Rashford netted a last-gasp penalty.
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