Tottenham Hotspur have been hit with a £75,000 FA fine due to crowd misconduct at a Premier League match against Manchester United last September.
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Crowd 'misconduct' at United gameSpurs receive £75K fineReduced from £150KFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Football Association, the club failed to ensure its fans behaved properly during the Premier League fixture, with reports of inappropriate language at multiple points in the game. Tottenham beat United 3-0 in the match, but their win was overshadowed by the presence of homophobic chanting in the stands.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Spurs immediately condemned the fans responsible for these chants, issuing a statement vowing to work closely "with the police and stewards to identify anyone instigating or joining in with the chanting" and "take the strongest possible action in accordance with our sanctions and banning policy." However, English football's governing body has judged that the club did not do enough to stamp out the inappropriate behaviour.
WHAT THE FA SAID
An official FA statement read: "Tottenham Hotspur FC has been fined £75,000 for two breaches of FA Rule E21 in relation to crowd control misconduct at its Premier League match against Manchester United FC on Sunday 29 September 2024. It was alleged that Tottenham Hotspur FC failed to ensure its spectators and or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and don’t use words or otherwise behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting way with either an express or implied reference to sexual orientation around both the 49th and 79th minutes. Tottenham Hotspur FC admitted both charges, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed an action plan, £150,000 fine and warning. An independent Appeal Board reduced the fine to £75,000 following an appeal by the club."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TOTTENHAM?
There's no escaping the fact that this fine is a drop in the ocean for an incredibly rich club that's currently chasing various expensive players including Mohamed Kudus (with Spurs reportedly looking to bid around £50m for the West Ham midfielder). Having qualified for the Champions League thanks to their Europa League victory, the club — led by newly appointed manager Thomas Frank — has a big summer of squad strengthening ahead.