Fifa investigates 'possible discriminatory' chants by England fans
England’s World Cup heroics have been tarnished by their own fans after Fifa confirmed it had begun disciplinary proceedings over “possible discriminatory” chants in their defeat to Croatia.
Football’s world governing body revealed it had received a report via its anti-discrimination monitoring system and had opened a case against the Football Association.
Fifa did not disclose the nature of the chants but cries of “No surrender” were clearly audible from the England end of the ground during the national anthem at Wednesday night’s semi-final.
It has also been alleged to the Daily Telegraph that there was some anti-Islamic chanting and Nazi salutes in the same section of the Luzhniki Stadium.
Fifa said: “We can confirm that a report has been filed through the anti-discrimination monitoring system in relation to chants of a possible discriminatory nature by English fans at yesterday’s match.
“Subsequently, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Football Association.”
It is unclear whether the “No surrender” chant - an anti-IRA slogan - would be deemed a breach of Fifa rules on discrimination.
It has been shouted at every one of England’s World Cup matches, although not as audibly as on Wednesday night at a match which witnessed by far the largest following at the tournament for Gareth Southgate’s side.
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The has blighted England games for years but the FA has avoided being sanctioned over it despite the threat of a crackdown when Fifa’s anti-discrimination monitoring system was set up three years ago.
The presence of any Nazi salutes would be the second time supporters would have been caught engaging in the sickening practise in Russia after a trio of fans were handed banning orders for the offence ahead of England’s opener against Tunisia.
British police on the ground in Moscow said last night they were unaware of any discrimination at Wednesday’s game, disclosing a single arrest had been made at the match for an alleged assault.
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