Tottenham Hotspur have been fined £75,000 for homophobic chanting by their supporters during a Premier League match against Manchester United, following abuse aimed at Mikel Arteta and Mason Mount that included references to sexual orientation.
The sanction, initially set at £150,000, was halved by an independent Appeal Board after Spurs admitted two breaches of FA Rule E21, which relates to crowd control and discriminatory behaviour.
The charges stem from incidents during the club’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford on 29 September 2024, where chants from the away section targeted Arsenal’s head coach and Mount, formerly of Chelsea.
The FA found that Tottenham had failed to ensure that their supporters “conduct themselves in an orderly fashion” and “do not use words or otherwise behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting way with either an express or implied reference to sexual orientation,” with the breaches occurring around the 49th and 79th minutes.
In addition to the fine, an action plan and formal warning were issued to the club. The FA’s initial ruling was made by an independent Regulatory Commission, before Tottenham’s appeal led to the reduction in financial penalty.
Spurs condemned the abuse in a statement issued shortly after the match. “This is simply unacceptable, hugely offensive and no way to show support for the team,” the club said at the time. “The club will be working with the police and stewards to identify anyone instigating or joining in with the chanting. We shall take action.”