Are football chants just banter or offensive?

LEEDS United have asked their supporters to stop chanting an obscene football song directed at player Willy Gnonto.

Fat chance! When I’m watching football on TV, I have to turn down the volume to avoid filth flooding my lounge.

Fans of other sports don’t use blatant obscenities, so why does the psyche of the football supporter appear to be based on anger? Do they change character the moment they pass through the turnstiles and join in disgusting chants and obscene gestures. They share the mentality of those who filled the Colosseum in Rome to watch Christians being torn apart by lions.

GEOFF COOLING, Whitby, N. Yorks. FANS obviously take great delight in chanting vulgar new lyrics to the tune of the Los Lobos hit La Bamba to celebrate the attributes of Leeds winger Willy Gnonto.

Yes, the humour is lavatorial and could be considered offensive, but I find the creative spontaneity and humour hilarious. It’s harmless fun and part of the long tradition of football chants directed at the teams, opposition supporters and particularly match officials.

Of course, racist, homophobic or sectarian chanting is unacceptable, but the terrace song about Gnonto is a sign of endearment and it does not appear that the player has complained.

The danger is that if it is given notoriety, it will become an act of defiance. Indulge the fans and it will be a passing phase. I wish someone had sung about me in a similar fashion when I played football!