Leeds United release strong statement on Manor Solomon chant that 'could be breaking the law' and reveal punishment for fans
Championship table-toppers Leeds United have issued a second statement regarding an anti-Palestinian chant sang by some of their supporters.
Daniel Farke's side have won five of their last seven league matches and are partially indebted to the form of loanee Manor Solomon, who has scored four goals and provided three assists in those victories.
Leeds signed the 25-year-old winger, who is an Israel international, on loan from Tottenham last summer in a deal that runs until the end of the season.
But in December, the club decided to issue a statement to media outlets after footage of fans singing an anti-Palestine chant during Leeds' Boxing Day win over Stoke was posted to social media.
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They chanted to the tune of Manfred Mann's 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy', changing the lyrics to say: "Manor Solomon's on my mind and he hates Palestine."
The club stated (via the Daily Mirror) that the chant was 'not acceptable', and added that 'supporters could be breaking the law'.
They re-iterated the club's 'zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds'.
Both the FA and the EFL are believed to be monitoring the situation, according to various reports.
The winger was asked about the chant in an interview with The Athletic in January, but said that he 'prefer[red] not to comment about it'.
At a meeting between club chiefs and Leeds' Supporters Advisory Board earlier this week, Whites chief executive Angus Kinnear stated (via the Yorkshire Evening Post) that police had not classed the chant as a hate crime but outlined the club's plans to implement procedures for reporting of the chant.
Another senior member of the club added that a new chant for Solomon had been heard during the side's win over Norwich last month and added that the club 'hopes this will help eradicate the previous one'.
Following that meeting, Leeds have released a second official statement regarding those procedures, confirming that any supporter identified to be participating in the chant will be banned from attending future matches.
They add that the club has received a number of additional complaints from supporters since initial footage of the chant emerged online.
It reads as follows: "Leeds United again condemn the football chant containing an anti-Palestine lyric aimed at Manor Solomon, having already done so through comment to local and national media outlets in December.
"Hate crime and discriminatory language or chanting is not acceptable at Leeds United and the club has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
"The club has received a large number of complaints from Leeds United supporters regarding the chant and had hoped the initial strategy of condemning it through the media and working with supporter groups, would prevent this from happening in the future, but it has sadly become more prominent in recent matches, including at Elland Road.
"After monitoring the situation at recent home games, the origins of the chant at Elland Road appear to come from the Norman Hunter South Stand, particularly in blocks FA5, FA6, SS5, SS6.
"As a result, there will be an increased CCTV surveillance and stewarding presence in FA5, FA6, SS5 and SS6 at all home games between now and the end of the season, and action will be taken against any person who participates in the chant, including the issuing of a club banning order.
"Given what is at stake for the club in the weeks ahead, this is a time we need the fan base to be united, not divided."
Topics: Leeds United, EFL Championship, Football, Tottenham Hotspur
Ryan Smart