Aston Villa 'disgusted' by fans chanting racist song about their players
Aston Villa are “disgusted and appalled” by social media footage which appears to show fans “chanting a racist song” which makes reference to two of their first-team players.
A video following Saturday’s 5-1 win at Norwich shows a group of Villa’s fans singing about the club’s Zimbabwean midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and one other player, with references to several racial stereotypes.
Villa said in a statement: “Aston Villa is disgusted and appalled by footage circulating on social media of supporters chanting a racist song which makes reference to two of our first-team players. The club wholly condemns the chant and urges other supporters to help us identify those responsible.
“Chants of this nature besmirch the good name of Aston Villa Football Club and our fans. If the perpetrators are identified they will be dealt with in the strongest manner by the club and be reported to the police immediately. Our security staff will be vigilant at forthcoming games to ensure that anybody attempting repetition of this chant will be dealt with severely. We know we can rely on the assistance of the majority of our fans to eradicate this toxic behaviour immediately.”
Kick It Out, English football’s equality and inclusion organisation, posted a statement on social media which read: “Important message from AVFCOfficial – the chant is offensive and completely unacceptable. Fans must understand that racist stereotypes have no place in football or wider society, and those involved should face consequences along with the necessary education. KickItOut.”
The Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust also condemned the footage and said it will be liaising with the club. “AVST is disappointed to hear about the chanting directed towards Marvelous Nakamba at the Norwich game,” read a statement. “It’s a cheap and insulting stereotype that has no place in this day and age. Racist stereotypes are never acceptable. Hiding so-called support behind such words [is] reprehensible and [is] condemned by all decent Villa supporters.”
West Ham announced last month that they would be banning for life a fan shown chanting racist songs on a video, while Chelsea and Liverpool launched a joint-investigation after footage showed a Blues fan chanting alleged racist abuse towards Reds forward Mohamed Salah.