Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out has criticised derogatory chants directed at Phil Foden’s mother during the recent Manchester derby held at Old Trafford. The offensive chants, which were clearly audible during the first half and when Foden was substituted in the 57th minute, occurred during the goalless draw between Manchester United and Manchester City.
Following the incident, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola labelled the behavior “shameful” and said those responsible lacked “class.” Hollie Varney, Chief Operating Officer of Kick It Out, said football’s handling of sexist chants this season has repeatedly fallen short. She emphasized that dismissing misogynistic abuse as lighthearted humor ignores the broader impact such behavior can have on stadium culture and on women in particular.
“Sexism isn’t ‘banter,’” Varney stated, adding that discriminatory chants don’t just affect individuals directly mentioned but foster an atmosphere that may cause women to feel unwelcome or threatened at matches.
According to The Football Association (FA), clubs must ensure that their fans refrain from inappropriate conduct, including abuse based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. FA Rule E20 specifies that clubs are held accountable for supporter behavior, and action can be taken when sufficient proof exists of widespread discriminatory chanting.
Despite these regulations, the FA has opted not to take disciplinary measures against Manchester United regarding the chants aimed at Foden’s mother. This decision appears to rest on a technicality: while the abuse may have been offensive, it targeted a non-playing individual and thus falls outside the FA’s current scope for enforcement under its rulebook.
The FA has pursued disciplinary cases in the past for incidents involving racism, homophobia, and chants about tragic events. However, it does not pursue every instance of unpleasant or disrespectful fan behavior. In February, for example, Millwall avoided punishment for chants urging harm to Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, which the FA condemned but did not find actionable under their framework.
While Manchester United have not made a formal public comment, they are reported to have acknowledged privately that the chants were inappropriate. Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy addressed similar issues after fans targeted Rebekah Vardy, saying that while controlling fans is difficult, clubs should explore options to eliminate such conduct from football.
Kick It Out insists that clubs have the authority to respond to such incidents – whether through fines, bans, or educational efforts. Varney pointed to a study revealing that a significant majority of women who experience or witness sexism in football do not report it, largely due to concerns that their complaints won’t lead to meaningful change.
Some figures in football, however, see this behavior as an unfortunate norm. Former striker Troy Deeney commented that offensive chants are a long-standing element of football’s culture, especially in heated rivalries. While he acknowledged the chants are not acceptable, he noted that emotionally charged environments often give rise to such behavior. He recalled being told by Gianfranco Zola that footballers are expected to suppress their emotions, implying a longstanding expectation of tolerance in the face of abuse.
