Manchester United knew all about the tragedy chants firsthand and stepped in to try to help Leeds rid Elland Road of vile fan chants about pedophile Jimmy Savile.
Leeds United want vile Jimmy Savile chants classified as a hate crime (Image: PA)
Leeds United teamed up with arch-rivals Manchester United to get vile chants against Jimmy Savile classed as a hate crime. The Yorkshire club has targeted its own supporters who have been singing about pedophile Savile for years.
Saville, whose crimes were only discovered after his death in 2011, was born in Leeds but had no ties to the club. But Leeds’ owners are fed up with the offensive chants and have asked football authorities and police to classify them as a public order offence.
Leeds have become part of the Premier League’s Tragedy Chant Working Group to tackle the issue.
This includes United, Liverpool and Bradford City, who have all worked closely with Leeds on Savile’s songs.
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Since 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service has said that “tragedy chants” such as songs related to the Munich plane crash, the Hillsborough disaster and the Bradford fires could be classified as hate crimes.
Leeds City wants Savile chants to be treated similarly, but fears the legislation could take months to pass.
The initiative was launched by former chief executive Angus Kinnear and saw the club meet with various fan groups to discuss the issue, which has become a serious stain on the club’s reputation.
It is understood thousands of fans have spent a long time lobbying the club to take action. Leeds bosses had considered making a big screen appeal to stop the use of Savile’s songs, but feared this would encourage further action.
Leeds want vile chants to stop
If Savile’s chant is classed as a hate crime, those responsible face criminal proceedings, huge fines and a long-term ban from Elland Street.
And club leaders will be hoping that improved CCTV will be installed as part of the upcoming stadium renovations, which will help identify those responsible.
A club spokesperson said: “The club’s supporters are subjected to such disgusting chants at every match, but they should not be in today’s game. It is a disgrace to the victims of Jimmy Savile’s abuse.”
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