Liverpool MP Urges Premier League To Act and Condemn Poverty Chanting

Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne has written to the Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, demanding action on poverty chanting from the Premier League. Byrne’s letter comes following Everton’s game against Chelsea earlier this month.

As a Liverpool FC season ticket holder, Ian Byrne, alongside his fellow fans, has also endured this chanting for years.

The MP has asked the Premier League to tackle this blight in football. Pointing out how they rightly condemn tragedy chanting and take a zero-tolerance approach to racism and homophobia, Mr Byrne has said they should condemn poverty chanting, and the classism associated with it, with the same seriousness.

The West Derby MP told Mr Masters about the work of the Right to Food Commission and how they had heard harrowing stories of hunger and food insecurity across the country. Informing him that poverty is a life and death issue and should never be the subject of mockery in our football grounds.

Ian Byrne MP said: “Right minded football fans are sick of this poverty chanting. Everton and Liverpool supporters have endured this class prejudice for years. Mocking families who cannot afford to put food on the table is shameful.

“We have had enough and it has to end. The reason I have written to the Premier League is to ask for their help, condemning it unequivocally just as they rightly do in other areas, and expressing solidarity with those affected and providing much needed leadership.

“Poverty and its manifestations, such as hunger caused by food insecurity, are intolerable and need a united front, including the Premier League and across all football clubs. We want the Premier League to work with us at the Right to Food Commission and help campaign for an end to food insecurity.  I also ask those involved in poverty chanting to remember that hunger does not wear club colours; it affects fans at every club across the country.

“Liverpool and Everton fans understood this and joined together to support people across our city who are struggling. Through Fans Supporting Foodbanks, supporters stand together to feed our communities. Fans from across all clubs, including those who have sadly been involved in this nonsense, are going hungry. Let’s work together and campaign for an end to hunger once and for all.”

Image: Anfield stadium https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anfield_stadium_in_May_2024.jpg Author: FYI2023, made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.