A quarter of fans witness racist abuse at top games, shocking survey reveals
MORE than a quarter of football fans witnessed acts of racism at matches last season.
A study has revealed the shocking rise of incidents at grounds across the country as the Premier League season gets underway.
The research also uncovered alarming levels of homophobia, violence and drug taking.
The fan survey found 28 per cent of supporters said they had witnessed racism at matches, with Chelsea fans engaging in the most incidents.
A total of 41 per cent of Chelsea supporters who were questioned admitted they witnessed fans from their club being racist at a home match.
This was followed by Manchester United on 28 per cent, Liverpool on 25 per cent and Arsenal at 19 per cent.
Chelsea also topped the league of shame for the most racist incidents experienced by both home and away fans with 17 per cent, followed by Millwall on 13 per cent.
The findings come as a footballer who helped pave the way for other black players and coaches issued a stark warning on racism in the game.
Chris Ramsey, technical director at QPR, said: “I don’t think racism ever went away. What we have done is put a lot of it under the carpet.”
More than three in 10 Chelsea fans said they saw their own supporters being homophobic, followed by 26 per cent at Arsenal.
Other big offenders were Manchester United on 23 per cent, Liverpool on 18 per cent and Newcastle at 17 per cent.
Last night Chelsea urged supporters to report incidents.
A spokesman for the club said: “We believe there is no place in football or society for discriminatory behaviour and we will continue to work to rid it from the game.”
Jake Apperley, spokesman for Free Super Tips which commissioned the study, said: “Fan experiences at football games are painting a negative picture with a number of Premier League clubs seeing racism, homophobia, violence and drug abuse taking place in the grounds.” Racism... Gary Hyland, inset, targeted Liverpool’s Mo Salah A DISGRACED Everton fan yesterday admitted racially abusing Liverpool footballer Mo Salah.
Gary Hyland, 32, last week tweeted a fake image of the Muslim star wearing a suicide vest as well as pictures of Liverpool fans praying to Allah.
Yesterday, at Liverpool magistrates court, Hyland, of Waterloo, Merseyside, admitted a racially aggravated public order offence and obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.
An Everton spokesman condemned his actions. Hyland, who has 19 unspecified criminal convictions, was granted bail after his solicitor Danielle Gibbons said the tweets “started out as innocent and legitimate banter” but quickly “escalated”. Hyland was ordered to stay away from social media. He will be sentenced at the end of the month.