Ben Chilwell was targeted by alleged homophobic chanting (Image: Getty)
The Football Association have charged Millwall following alleged homophobic chants directed at Chelsea loanee Ben Chilwell during their recent FA Cup match against Crystal Palace. The incident occurred during the first half of the fifth-round tie in early March, which saw Palace secure a 3-1 victory over the Championship side.
The 'Chelsea Rent Boy' chant was allegedly aimed at Chilwell. In January 2022, the Mirror reported that the phrase would be classified as a homophobic hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service. In January 2023, the FA informed clubs across the pyramid that they could face charges if their fans were caught singing homophobic chants. Several clubs, including Wolves, have since been slapped with hefty fines. Millwall could face similar penalties if found guilty of the charge. The FA confirmed the charge in a statement released on Thursday morning.
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The statement read: "Millwall FC has been charged with misconduct in relation to crowd control following the FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace FC on Saturday 1 March.
"It's alleged that during the 5th and 20th minutes the club failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and don't use words or behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting way with either express or implied reference to sexual orientation. Millwall FC has until Wednesday 16 April to respond."
Millwall have not announced how they will respond to the FA charge, but they have made it clear that they do not condone the chant that led to the accusation and highlighted their commitment to fighting homophobia.
"Millwall Football Club notes The Football Association's decision to charge the club with breaches of rule E21 following the Emirates FA Cup fixture away to Crystal Palace on Saturday 1st March 2025," the club stated.
Crystal Palace beat Millwall in March (Image: Getty)
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"The chant in question is condemned by Millwall Football Club, and once again it strongly emphasises its zero-tolerance policy against discrimination of all kinds. The club remains committed to working tirelessly to eradicate homophobic chanting, and any other form of discriminatory abuse, from the sport.
"This work will continue under the club's leading anti-discrimination campaign, All 'Wall, which is promoted ahead of every fixture and overseen by its industry-leading Equality Steering Committee."
After a period of being sidelined at Chelsea, Chilwell made a switch to Palace during the January transfer window. The England international could feature in the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa after Palace's resounding victory over Fulham in the previous round.
A version of this article first appeared on the Mirror website
