For the third consecutive game, Evertonians have been subjected to tedious poverty chanting from opposition fans.
The Toffees fell to a 1-0 defeat against the Gunners last night. A first half Viktor Gyokeres penalty was enough to separate the two sides.
It was a fixture with few moments of quality and highlighted Everton’s limited depth with key players absent.
A magnificent tifo was unveiled on the South Stand prior to kick off soundtracked to a chorus of There She Goes.
However, the visitors’ contribution to the atmosphere was minimal to say the least. Silent for long periods, Arsenal’s away contingent only found their voice to sing a pathetic poverty chant.
A rendition of ‘Feed the Scousers’ could frequently be heard emanating from the away section.
In response, an advert for Fans Supporting Foodbanks appeared on the big screens each time it was sung.
A classy reply by the Blues. The Arsenal fans responsible are an embarrassment to their club, though they’re not alone.
Both Nottingham Forest and Chelsea recently sang their annual rendition of the offensive chant.
After the Forest game, we got talking to a few of their fans in the pub. Each one denied having sung the song. They always do.
Some would call it banter, or insist that society has become too sensitive. However, football has to do better.
Weaponising social and economic deprivation for cheap digs based on longstanding stereotypes has surely run its course.
Tribalism has always been a key component of the game. However, poverty chanting deepens divisions in what is already an incredibly fractured society.
The very fact it’s allowed to continue each year undermines the work of eradicating other forms of offensive songs from the game.
It suggests that some forms of prejudice will still be tolerated. It’s fair game to mock poor people.
I’d always considered Arsenal to be a classy football club. Then again, they publicly supported Thomas Partey, so clearly I was mistaken.