Arsenal Football Club has taken decisive action against fan misconduct, banning 24 supporters for a range of offences, including tragedy chanting, assault, and online abuse.

The club’s clampdown comes amidst a concerted effort by clubs and authorities to curb unacceptable behaviour in and around stadiums.

Five of the banned fans were found to have engaged in tragedy chanting last season, a particularly abhorrent practice that references historical disasters and tragedies to taunt rival fans. The club’s decision to ban these individuals follows the arrest of two supporters in Manchester last season for similar offences.

The club’s zero-tolerance policy also extends to other forms of abusive and discriminatory behaviour. 10 fans were banned for assault, highlighting the club’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all supporters. Additionally, three fans were banned for online offences, demonstrating the club’s determination to combat hate speech and harassment in the digital sphere.

The banned supporters have received punishments ranging from one to three years, with 14 individuals facing the longer ban. However, Arsenal is offering them a chance to reduce their punishments by attending a one-to-one education programme run by the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out. The programme aims to educate offenders about the impact of their actions and promote positive behaviour.

The club’s efforts to combat online abuse have also been strengthened by their partnership with a data science company. This collaboration enables Arsenal to identify and unmask abusive social media accounts, holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

However, it’s not all good news. As we reported this weekend, the Metropolitan Police have dropped an investigation into racist abuse targeted at Bukayo Saka due to an alleged lack of cooperation from social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The abuse occurred after a Champions League match and involved a racial slur and a manipulated image. The suspect, believed to be outside the UK, remains unidentified. Criticism has been directed at X’s refusal to assist, with calls for stronger regulation.