Blackpool Football Club acknowledges the fine and action plan received from The FA following the incidents which took place in last season’s fixture against Wigan Athletic.
The Club has been charged and found guilty of misconduct for a breach of Rule E21.4, which states:
“Blackpool FC failed to ensure that spectators and/or its supporters (and anyone purporting to be its supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion whilst attending the Match and do not use words or otherwise behave in a way which is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent or insulting with either express or implied reference to religion.”
Blackpool Football Club were quick to accept the fact its supporters made chants of an abusive, offensive, racial and/or discriminatory nature based on religious bias during the fixture against Wigan Athletic in April 2023.
The Club has a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory abuse of all kinds and fully condemns the conduct of any supporters who subject others to any form of abuse. Those responsible may be committing a criminal offence and moving forward will, if identified, be ejected and banned.
As a result of the incident which took place in the early stages of this particular fixture, the Club has been found guilty of misconduct under FA rules. As well as a £35,000 fine, an action plan has now been imposed to deter a recurrence of any further misconduct. Should an incident such as this happen again, further implications could be imposed such as increased financial sanctions or the possibility of fixtures taking place behind closed doors.
Blackpool Football Club will treat this matter with the utmost severity and intends to develop existing initiatives to become a more inclusive and proactive Club, both at home and away fixtures.
In an effort to make Bloomfield Road a more welcoming environment for those of all backgrounds, the Club launched the Report It App earlier this year, designed for supporters to report concerns and events of discriminatory behaviour anonymously.
For further information and to download the app, please click here.
The Club will continue to work cooperatively with The FA, as we all strive to make football a more inclusive and diverse sport.