Phil Foden endured ‘classless’ taunts about his mother during Sunday afternoon’s Manchester derby. Throughout the first half and after he was replaced, Man United supporters could be heard chanting at the 25-year-old.
Fan footage has surfaced that shows the Manchester City player reacting to the chants thrown at him by making a number of gestures, including giving the fans the thumbs up. He played quietly until the 57th minute, when Jeremy Doku took his place.
In his post-match interview, Pep Guardiola blasted the people behind the chanting, calling them “ashamed,” after giving Foden a warm embrace as he left the pitch. “Lack of class,” he said. But, you know, it’s the people, not United. We are extremely exposed to those who are on the television in world football, particularly football players, managers, and owners.
“To be honest, I don’t understand the people’s mindset regarding Phil’s mother; they should feel ashamed because they lack integrity and class.”
Manchester United Won’t be Punished by FA For The Chants
The reason why has emerged
United won’t face consequences for the chanting, the BBC reports, despite Guardiola’s censure and the commotion they have produced.
FA rule E20, which states that clubs are responsible for ensuring their supporters “refrain from improper conduct,” which includes “a reference, whether express or implied to any one or more of the following: ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability,” does forbid fans from engaging in abusive chanting or discriminatory behaviour.
The FA has taken tough measures against racial and homophobic screaming as well as tragic chanting in recent years. Clubs have been hit with fines, and some fans have been charged with crimes and banned.
United has privately admitted that the chanting are wrong, but they have not issued a statement of any kind. However, the Red Devils will not be punished, and the FA’s justification for doing nothing has been revealed.
The FA believes that they would be taxing a team for almost every game if they took action whenever an offensive song was played. It is believed that in order to successfully prosecute an FA accusation, the case must be extremely strong.
According to the BBC, if the chants regarding Foden’s mother had been directed at a female player, they would have been considered discriminatory under the FA regulation; however, since they were directed at a spectator, the rule does not apply.
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