Kick It Out asks Man Utd to ban racist Romelu Lukaku chant

Football’s anti-discrimination group hits out at racial stereotyping

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring a goal for Manchester United
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring a goal for Manchester United 
(Image credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Kick It Out, the anti-racism organisation, has contacted Manchester United regarding the offensive content of a fans’ chant about its new star striker Romelu Lukaku.

Footage has emerged of United fans singing a song about Lukaku during last week’s Champions League match against Basel. It has been reported that the song was also sung against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Set to the tune of the Stone Roses’ Made of Stone, the chant’s lyrics make reference to the size of Lukaku’s manhood.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

A Kick It Out spokesman told The Times: “Kick It Out is aware of footage of alleged racist chanting by supporters of Manchester United that emerged on Wednesday evening.

See more

“The lyrics used in the chant are offensive and discriminatory. Racist stereotypes are never acceptable in football or wider society, irrespective of any intention to show support for a player.

“We have contacted Manchester United regarding the issue and will be working closely with them and the FA to ensure that it is addressed swiftly.

“If we receive any reports relating to the discriminatory chant, those will be passed on to the governing body and the perpetrators can expect to face punishment.”

United season-ticket holder Scott Patterson believes the chant “belongs in the 1980s”. He said: “It’s a cheap and insulting stereotype that has no place in this day and age. I was embarrassed to hear that song and I want us to be better than this.”

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us