Blackpool’s rivals hit with £40,000 fine for offences against Chelsea and Huddersfield Town- with one including Seasiders-related chant

Preston North End have been hit with a fine (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)Preston North End have been hit with a fine (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Preston North End have been hit with a fine (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Blackpool’s Lancashire rivals Preston North End have been hit with a £40,000 fine and ordered to implement an action plan by the FA.

This comes after misconduct in relation to crowd control at two of the Lilywhites’ games last season.

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The fixtures in question were a Championship clash away to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday December 12, and an FA Cup tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, on Saturday January 6.

A statement from the FA read: “Preston North End admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion; and don’t use words or behave in an improper and/or offensive and/or abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting way with an express or implied reference to gender and/or sexual orientation in the third minute of the EFL Championship game.

"An independent Regulatory Commission fined the club £10,000.

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“The club also admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and don’t use words or behave in an improper and/or offensive and/or abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting way with an express or implied reference to sexual orientation in the 42nd minute of the FA Cup tie.

"The independent Regulatory Commission fined the club £25,000.”

The offence in the game against Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium featured ‘discriminatory’ chants aimed at Blackpool- which took place in the third minute of the Championship fixture.

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On December 20, North End responded to the FA about the incident with the following: “We were aware of our supporters chanting about our local rivals Blackpool during the game and the use of the chant as referenced in your email.

“At the start of the season we warned our supporters about their behaviour and the impact it has on the club and how they could be at risk of action.

“In the aftermath of this fixture we have used our club media to further remind supporters of their responsibilities at all fixtures. We take the matter very seriously and will take the appropriate action within our remit to ensure that all supporters behave and chant appropriately and ensure that no discriminatory language is used.”

Full written reasons behind the punishment can be read on the FA website.

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