Leeds United fan group respond to homophobic chanting statement after Brighton Elland Road game

Leeds United LGBTQ+ group Marching Out Together were left ‘angered and disappointed’ after hearing homophobic chants during Sunday’s Elland Road meeting with Brighton.

The Whites beat Brighton 1-0 in their final home Premier League game of the season, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin winning it five minutes into added-time. The club released a statement on Monday confirming they are aware of homophobic chanting and warning anyone identified taking part would face a lengthy stadium ban.

Leeds also confirmed extra cameras were in place for the game. The YEP understands that the club are very disappointed about the homophobic chanting having previously been fined £150,000 for the same offence in March 2023 against Brighton.

A club statement released on Monday read: “Leeds United Football Club are aware of homophobic chanting which took place during Sunday’s Premier League fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road. As was communicated before the fixture, any form of discriminatory chanting has no place in football.

“For this match, extra cameras were deployed in stands and anyone identified in taking part in homophobic chanting will face a lengthy stadium ban. The club are also aware of disappointing Jimmy Savile chants, however, this does not make other forms of discriminatory and homophobic chanting acceptable.”

On Tuesday morning, Marching Out Together published a statement. It read: “Along with the majority of our fans, we were angered and disappointed by the homophobic chants and gestures by some of our “fans” during the match against Brighton & Hove Albion. We welcome the prompt statement from the club saying that action will be taken against those participating in discriminatory and illegal behaviour.

“At the same time we thank the club for their continued efforts to challenge discrimination and to encourage inclusion. And we recognise that the vast majority of our fans oppose discrimination and offensive behaviour, and support action to eradicate it.”