Leeds United issue fresh statement on anti-Palestine chant ahead of Sunderland clash

Leeds United have released a new statement strongly condemning the “unacceptable” chant with an anti-Palestine lyric aimed at Manor Solomon. A video surfaced showing a section of the team’s travelling fans engaging in discriminatory behaviour and chanting the offensive song during the Boxing Day win at Stoke City.

The chant has been sung at both home and away games this season, despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East claiming tens of thousands of lives. Leeds United’s statement reads: “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.”

The statement emphasizes the club’s zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory abuse, stating: “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.”

Following numerous complaints from supporters, the club had hoped that condemning the chant through the media and collaborating with supporter groups would prevent its recurrence.

Unfortunately, the chant has become more prominent in recent matches, including at Elland Road, with the Norman Hunter South Stand, particularly blocks FA5, FA6, SS5, and SS6, identified as the source of the chant at home games. In a decisive move to stamp out unsavoury chants, the club has announced heightened security measures for home games stating: “