Soccer: FA to work with clubs to wipe out offensive chants

Britain's Football Association will work in collaboration with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal to prevent a repeat of Monday's offensive chanting at White Hart Lane. Elements of both Spurs and Arsenal fans sang contemptuous songs during Tottenham's 2-1 victory.

Rather than charging the clubs, the FA will be speaking to them in the hope of avoiding a repeat at the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium on February 25 next year.

In response to the game, during which home and away fans targeted Arsene Wenger and Emmanuel Adebayor respectively, the FA will work with the north London sides.

There is an FA code of best practice for these issues, as well as positive examples of clubs trying to prevent offensive chanting. Sir Alex Ferguson's public stance regarding the treatment of Wenger at Old Trafford is well-regarded within the game.

Spurs and Arsenal confirmed in a joint statement last night that they would work together to identify the worst offenders.

Spurs are also gathering evidence regarding the claim that Arsenal's Bacary Sagna was spat on while injured.

While the clubs may take action against some fans, there is little prospect of action under the Football Offences Act (1991). In 2009 prosecutions were brought against Spurs fans for abusing Sol Campbell, resulting in Portsmouth Magistrates' Court issuing three-year soccer bans and fines for six supporters.

The allegedly homophobic and racist angle to those songs qualified them as harassment, though, rather than merely distressing.

Until there is a complaint to the Metropolitan Police regarding harassment, they cannot act.

Neither will there be FA charges against Tottenham or Arsenal. The FA obliges clubs to ensure their supporters refrain from "violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour".

This was one of two charges of which West Ham were found guilty in January 2010, after crowd trouble marred their Carling Cup match against Millwall at Upton Park, resulting in a £15,000 ($30,000) fine. A similar charge after the latest events is thought to be unlikely.

- Independent