Manchester United’s fans defied the club’s orders as they continued today to sing the controversial chant about striker Romelu Lukaku’s manhood.
Their defiance has already triggered a second complaint from anti-discrimination group Kick It Out.
The song, which references the perceived size of Lukaku’s manhood, was deemed ‘offensive and discriminatory’ by Kick It Out in a letter to United. The song has previously been heard during the past week’s home games against Everton and Burton Albion.
Both United and Lukaku had already implored fans not to sing the chant in a statement earlier this week and on Saturday night they once again condemned their supporters. The club also confirmed they are prepared to support police action against the perpetrators.
Sections of the club’s travelling support continued to use the song at St Mary’s Stadium, where Lukaku scored the only goal of the game.
Kick It Out have now issued a new statement once again condemning United supporters and they accuse the fans of ‘repeated racist chanting.’
The anti-discrimination group insist the fans have a ‘responsibility’ to comply with the request of their striker.
The statement reads: ‘Kick It Out is aware of repeated racist chanting by supporters of Manchester United.’
‘Kick It Out would like to reiterate its stance that such behaviour has no place in football. Romelu Lukaku himself has requested that the supporters ‘move on’ from singing the chant in question and Manchester United now has a responsibility to ensure that the request is complied with.
‘If anyone has any evidence of supporters engaging in racist chanting, Kick It Out asks that you report it via the organisation’s app, to a steward or to the police.
Lukaku himself called for an end to the song when he took to Twitter earlier this week and wrote: ‘Great backing since I joined United. Fans have meant well with their songs but let’s move on together. #respecteachother.’
However, during the first half of United’s Premier League match at Southampton, the travelling band of supporters aired the chant once more and then sang: ‘We’re Man United, we’ll sing what we want.’
The fans followed that up with a different Lukaku song that avoided all racist connotations and simply championed ‘Manchester United’s number nine.’
United manager Jose Mourinho, however, refused to condemn the fans and called the support for his side ‘amazing.’
Here is the lyrics of the controversial song:
“Romelu Lukaku,
“He’s our Belgium scoring genius,
“He’s got a 24 inch penis,
“Scoring all the goals,
“B*****d to his toes.”
