Hull City have been hit with a £30,000 fine after an independent regulatory commission found the club responsible for discriminatory chanting by its supporters during an FA Cup tie against Chelsea earlier this year. The Football Association charge stemmed from homophobic chants heard during Hull's 4-0 defeat at the hands of the London club in February, and the commission has also ordered the Tigers to implement an action plan aimed at addressing the issue.
The penalty comes at a pointed moment, with Hull set to face Chelsea again this Saturday, this time in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge. In response to the sanction, the club issued a statement making clear it would not tolerate a repeat of the behavior from its fanbase.
"Hull City condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the offensive and inappropriate language used by the supporters responsible," the club said. "The 'rent boy' chant in question is recognised as a homophobic slur and its use may constitute a hate crime."
The statement went on to confirm that disciplinary action had already been taken against individuals identified as having taken part in the chanting. "Three supporters identified as having engaged in homophobic chanting have been banned by the club for a minimum of three years," the club noted, adding a warning that "individuals found using this chant may be arrested and face criminal charges."
Looking ahead to the weekend's fixture, Hull reiterated its zero-tolerance stance. "Ahead of Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge, the club reminds all supporters that discrimination of any kind is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated," the statement read.
The fine and accompanying action plan arrive during an otherwise turbulent week for the Yorkshire club, which was also forced to issue reassurances over the wellbeing of winger Sorba Thomas following a road accident near the team's Cottingham training base on Friday morning. Photographs circulating on social media showed a Land Rover Defender, reportedly bearing a personalized number plate, flipped onto its roof on a narrow residential street. Witnesses said emergency services, including fire engines and police, arrived at the scene at around 9am, and images also appeared to show Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic at the location.
The Premier League club confirmed that Thomas, a Wales international, had been behind the wheel at the time of the crash but stated he escaped without injury. "Hull City is relieved to confirm that Sorba Thomas is unharmed following a road traffic accident near to the club's Cottingham training ground," the club said. "The club is aware of images of Sorba's car circulating on social media and can reassure supporters that he has sustained no injuries and emerged from his vehicle completely unscathed."
Hull confirmed Thomas would travel with the rest of the squad for Saturday's clash against Chelsea despite the incident.
On the pitch, Hull have made an encouraging start since returning to the top flight, with the defense yet to concede a single goal in three league matches. The Tigers opened with victories over Manchester United and Coventry before being held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa last time out, setting up what promises to be a stern test of that defensive record against Chelsea this weekend.
Based on reporting from Independent (football).