Everton investigating homophobic chanting at Chelsea on same day as Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign

Premier League’s week-long support of the Stonewall campaign has been overshadowed by the second alleged incident of homophobic abuse in the space of a week

Everton have confirmed they are investigating reports of homophobic chanting aimed at Chelsea supporters during Saturday’s Goodison Park encounter, which came in the same week as the Premier League’s Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign.

Despite clubs across the country dedicating the week towards the LGBTQ+ campaign – which saw players and managers unite to show their support by wearing rainbow laces, speaking out over homophobic abuse and displaying supportive flags and banners – reports of homophobic abuse were made at a Chelsea match for the second week running after last weekend’s alleged chanting from West Ham fans.

An Everton statement read: “Everton is working in conjunction with Kick It Out and has commenced an investigation into homophobic chanting reported during Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea.

“Both the club and Kick It Out have received reports of a homophobic chant being aimed at Chelsea’s fans by a small section of the home crowd.

“Homophobia has no place within our stadium, our club, our community or our game. The club strongly condemns such behaviour and is carrying out a thorough investigation which will include liaison with Merseyside Police.

“Matchgoers who have information relating to any form of discrimination should email reportitevertonfc.com.”

The alleged incident follows reports of homophobic abuse to the Football Association from last weekend’s match between West Ham and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and has overshadowed the support shown for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people in sport as well as other minority groups.

The Goodison Park reports also came a day before Graeme Souness’s passionate outburst in how homosexuality was treated by his generation, and revealed how attending the Brighton Pride parade changed the way he looked at the issue by accepting there was a big problem within the sport.

“I think the PFA and Premier League have to look at themselves,” Souness said on Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s Premier League action. “You ask the question, ‘Why has no one ever come out?’ I don’t think football has created an environment where anyone would feel comfortable and confident about saying ‘I am gay’.

“There must be gay and bisexual players playing in the Premier League. There has to be but no one has felt comfortable enough to come out and say ‘This is me’.”

Souness added: “I came from a generation, a time in our football, where it was extremely homophobic, the banter in the dressing room.

“But nine months ago I came and took part in a parade here and it was enlightening and I learned so much and it changed my attitude. It was a fabulous day out, it was sunny, it was mobbed, there were tens of thousands of people there and I found it extremely educational and it was a thoroughly great day out.

“I would tell anyone if you want to learn more to come down here to that parade and you’ll come away with a completely different opinion.”