Football Pundit Kevin Kilbane Reports West Ham To FA Over Chant Mocking People With Down's Syndrome

Football Pundit Kevin Kilbane Reports West Ham To FA Over Chant Mocking People With Down's Syndrome
|
Open Image Modal
PA
Republic of Ireland's Kevin Kilbane speaks during a press conference at the Stadion am Halberg, Wehen, Germany.

Former footballer Kevin Kilbane, whose daughter has Down's Syndrome, has made an official complaint after West Ham fans chanted offensive songs mocking disabled people.

TV pundit Kevin complained to the Football Association after West Ham fans chanted at Spurs striker Harry Kane: "Harry Kane talks like a m**g and plays like one too".

The ex-Everton, Sunderland and Wigan winger's 10-year-old daughter Elsie has Down's Syndrome and he is patron of the Down's Syndrome Association charity.

Even though he wasn't at the game, a friend told him about the slurs during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane and he was outraged, comparing them to racism.

The former Republic of Ireland footballer said: "I am sure they understand they are causing offence.

"You cannot sweep it under the carpet and label it as ignorance.

"It is visible and clear and like racist or homophobic chanting, it is intended to cause offence.

"I want to be able to take my kids to football matches and when Elsie gets older she will understand about her condition and I would not want her to hear that kind of chanting.

"If her sister Isla heard it, she would be devastated too, as my friend's sons were.

"I spoke to him and he was extremely upset and I felt I had to report it. No family should have to put up with it at football matches.

"It was very clear and sadly it appeared to be from a large number of West Ham fans in the ground. This was not isolated to a handful of people.

"This is a wider society problem, not just a problem with football and idiots are using football as a tool to show their ignorance and discrimination.

"I have spoken to the FA and they have assured me they will investigate it thoroughly.

"In all my time playing and watching football, I have never heard this before. Hopefully we can do something to make sure it isn't again and this awful chant does not spread."

A West Ham club spokesman said: "If any individual is found to have behaved in an inappropriate way, the club's zero-tolerance policy dictates that they will face the strongest possible action, including the option of a life ban."