Leeds United Demand Crackdown on Jimmy Savile Chants as Public Order Offences
Leeds United Football Club have formally requested the UK Crown Prosecution Service and football governing bodies to classify fan chants referencing Jimmy Savile as public order offences. The Premier League club argues that songs about Savile, one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders, should be treated under the legal framework of 'tragedy chanting'.
Background of the Controversial Chants
Rival fans have targeted Leeds United with taunts about the late BBC star since his death in 2011. Savile was born in Leeds and spent a significant portion of his life in the Yorkshire city, but he held no official affiliation with the football club. Throughout the current season, chants about Savile have been audible from the terraces, including during the team's FA Cup clash with Norwich City at Elland Road over the weekend.
The CPS defines tragedy chanting as 'tragedy-related abuse' that references fatal accidents or stadium disasters involving fans, players, or officials of rival clubs. Examples include the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters, the Munich Air Crash, and the deaths of Leeds fans in Istanbul.
Legal Loophole and Club's Lobbying Efforts
In 2023, the CPS imposed stricter laws on tragedy chanting, stating it could be prosecuted as a public order offence, potentially leading to football banning orders. However, Savile chants are not currently covered by this legislation because they are not directly related to football incidents.
According to reports from The Athletic, Leeds United have called for the scope of the law to be broadened to include chants relating to Savile. A club spokesperson told the publication: 'Leeds United Football Club have lobbied and would be fully supportive of Jimmy Savile chants being classed as tragedy chanting and a hate crime.'
Club's Strong Stance Against the Taunts
The spokesperson elaborated: 'The club's supporters are subjected to these sickening taunts at every match by opposition fans, which should not be happening in today's game and are a disgrace to the victims of Jimmy Savile's abuse. Equally, the club disapproves of retaliatory chants from our own supporters.'
They added: 'The club is pleased this is finally being brought to the forefront by the media and hope that this can be the first step in helping to eradicate these chants, with support of the relevant governing bodies.'
Football Association's Response
Meanwhile, an FA spokesperson told the same publication: 'We strongly condemn any offensive, abusive and discriminatory chants in football stadiums.'
They continued: 'It is unacceptable and can have a lasting and damaging impact on people and communities within our game — and we support any club and their fans who try to eradicate this behaviour from the terraces. We continue to work closely with our stakeholders across the game and the relevant authorities to proactively address this issue.'
The club's initiative highlights ongoing efforts to combat hateful behaviour in football, seeking legal changes to address chants that exploit historical tragedies and crimes for taunting purposes.
