1 week Ago By James Stroud
Phil Foden was subjected to 'classless' chants about his mother throughout the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon. The chants, aimed at the 25-year-old by Man United fans, could be heard throughout the first-half and when he was substituted. The Manchester City star clearly heard the chants directed towards him and fan footage has emerged showing him react with a series of gestures - including putting his thumb up to the crowd.
After a quiet performance, he made way for Jeremy Doku in the 57th minute. Pep Guardiola gave Foden a warm embrace when he made his way off the pitch and then hit out at those responsible for the chants i n his post-match interview, saying they should be 'ashamed'. He said: “Lack of class.
But it's not United, it's the people, you know? We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football - managers, owners, and football players especially. “Honestly, I don't understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil, it's a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.” Manchester United Won't be Punished by FA For The Chants Despite Guardiola's condemnation and the uproar the chants have caused, United won't be punished for the chants , according to BBC.
FA rules do prohibit abusive chanting and discriminatory behaviour from fans, with FA rule E20 stating 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". In recent years the FA have cracked down on tragedy chanting and racist and homophobic chanting. Clubs have been fined, while some fans have been given banning orders and have faced criminal charges.
Despite not releasing a statement of any kind, United have privately acknowledged that the chants are unacceptable. The Red Devils will escape punishment, though, and the reason why the FA will take no action has emerged. The FA feel that if they took action every time there was a distasteful song they would be charging a club virtually every game.
The perception is the case has to be extreme for an FA charge to be brought as chances of success are slim. The BBC write that the chants about Foden's mum would be deemed discriminatory according to the FA rulebook if they had been directed at a female player but, because they were aimed at a non-participant in the game, the rule does not apply..
