supporters could face prosecution following incidents of alleged homophobic chanting during their FA Cup semi-final defeat to at Wembley Stadium, according to reports from the Metropolitan Police.
The match, attended by over 82,000 fans, saw Chelsea secure a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to an early goal from Enzo Fernández. While the game itself was largely contained on the pitch, attention has since shifted to incidents among supporters in the stands.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed a total of 14 arrests were made in and around Wembley for a range of offences, including assault, affray, and other public order issues. However, authorities also revealed that a further 18 individuals were identified for potential prosecution despite not being arrested at the scene.
Of those, 16 are believed to be Leeds supporters who were reportedly seen and heard engaging in homophobic chanting during the match.
A police spokesperson stated that those individuals will be “reported for consideration of prosecution for other offences,” highlighting ongoing efforts to tackle discriminatory behaviour at football matches.
The chant in question has previously been classified as a homophobic slur and is treated as a hate crime under Crown Prosecution Service guidance. Football authorities have repeatedly warned supporters that its use can lead to legal and disciplinary consequences, with clubs and governing bodies reinforcing zero-tolerance policies in recent seasons.
has previously instructed clubs to take firm action against discriminatory chanting, while stadium bans and criminal prosecutions have been used in similar cases across English football.
Leeds United had also issued prior warnings to supporters, reminding fans that certain chants are prosecutable offences and fall under hate crime legislation.
Despite the off-field controversy, the FA Cup semi-final itself was described by police as largely orderly given the scale of attendance, with minimal disruption reported inside Wembley Stadium.
The incident now places renewed focus on supporter behaviour at high-profile fixtures, with authorities continuing to clamp down on discriminatory chanting as part of broader efforts to improve inclusivity in football.
As investigations continue, those identified could face further action, including potential prosecution, stadium bans, or additional sanctions depending on the outcome of police review.
