Bristol City Fined Over Discriminatory Chanting

Bristol City have been fined £7,500 and ordered to implement an action plan after supporters were found to have engaged in racist chanting during last season’s Championship clash with Cardiff City.

An Independent Regulatory Commission confirmed the sanction following a hearing earlier this month. The incident took place during the match at Ashton Gate on 6 October 2024, with discriminatory chanting reported in both the 27th and 80th minutes.

The Commission found that a section of home fans repeatedly sang “sold your soul to a ladyboy” in reference to Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, describing the chant as “an overtly racist” attack.

Although the chants were not widely reported inside the ground at the time, audio picked up on television coverage led to Kick It Out raising the issue with the FA. Bristol City later admitted breaching FA Rule E21, which requires clubs to ensure supporters do not behave in an abusive, offensive, or discriminatory manner.

In its written decision, the panel, chaired by Simon Parry alongside Alison O’Dowd and Ken Brown, concluded:

• “The chanting used by the spectators was plainly racist in nature. It would have been deeply offensive to Mr. Tan.”
• “Whilst brief in nature, this happened on two separate occasions, one in each half.”
• “The failing in this case is in the steps taken in dealing with the incidents when they arose.”

The club’s cooperation with the FA and previously clean disciplinary record were noted in mitigation. However, the panel said there “must be some punitive element” to reflect the seriousness of the offence, setting the fine at the lower end of the Championship scale.

As part of the sanction, Bristol City must now update matchday risk assessments, strengthen steward training and reporting procedures, expand supporter education, and make a clear public statement condemning discriminatory abuse. The action plan will remain in place throughout the 2025/26 season.

The FA retains the right to audit the club’s compliance. The decision is also open to appeal.

_{Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @bristolcityfc}