09-02-2025
What is tragedy chanting, as policeman is sacked for offence?
A police officer who admitted to 'tragedy chanting' at a Liverpool football match has been sacked and barred from policing, his force has confirmed.
Sergeant Tyler Coppin, of Essex Police, previously pleaded guilty to the public order offence towards Liverpool fans at a Premier League match at Anfield against Chelsea last October.
Coppin was given a three-year football banning order and ordered to pay £645 in fines and costs in December, Merseyside Police said.
Essex Police, which then instigated misconduct proceedings against Coppin because of his conviction, confimed that he has been sacked and barred from policing.
It comes as Leeds United and Millwall condemned 'tragedy chanting' that took place during Saturday's FA Cup tie between the two clubs at Elland Road.
Yahoo News looks at what tragedy chanting is and what happens if you get caught doing it.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, tragedy chanting is when fans sing, chant or gesture offensive messages about disasters or accidents involving players or fans – including references to the Hillsborough Disaster, Munich Air Crash, Bradford Fire, Leeds fans killed in Istanbul, or the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash.
People found guilty of tragedy chanting can be banned from matches, and be fined and ordered to pay compensation.
In August 2023, the CPS said it had updated its prosecution guidance on football related offences to reconfirm that tragedy-related abuse could be prosecuted as a public order offence, setting out how lawyers could apply for Football Banning Orders to stop fans attending matches, as well as imposing restrictions, such as not being able to travel to certain areas, or be allowed in pubs at game time and travel during tournament times.
At the time Douglas Mackay, from the CPS, said: 'A small minority of so-called fans are both damaging the reputation of the sport and more importantly this offending has a devastating impact on the families of victims of tragedies and the communities connected closely to these events."
He said the updated guidance sent a "clear message that this vile behaviour will not be tolerated", adding: "We want supporters to passionately enjoy our national sport without crossing the line into criminality."
After an FA Cup tie between Leeds United and Millwall at Elland Road on 8 February, both clubs were forced to condemn "vile" tragedy chanting relating to the murders of Leeds fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus before a Uefa Cup semi-final at Galatasaray in 2000.
A statement from Leeds said: "During today's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Millwall, we were extremely disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football tragedies from the away section at Elland Road.
"We know the impact this has on the families of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, along with the whole fanbase of Leeds United.
"We will work with the police and Millwall Football Club to identify those involved, while we will also continue our efforts with the football authorities to help eradicate these chants from the game."
Millwall also issued a statement, saying: "The club strongly condemns all forms of football tragedy abuse and is appalled to receive reports of such chanting from a minority at today's FA Cup fixture against Leeds United.
"Both clubs have suffered tragic losses to their respective families in recent history. Chanting about this is entirely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the club or the governing bodies.
"It has no place in football and the club will work closely with Leeds United and authorities to identify those responsible.
"We all have a duty to ensure Millwall Football Club is represented proudly and responsibly at all times."
When the CPS announced it was updating its guidance in August 2023, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "Tragedy related abuse is completely unacceptable and has no place in our game. This behaviour is highly offensive and can have a lasting effect on the families, friends and communities who have been devastatingly impacted by these events."
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters added: 'We strongly believe there is no room for abhorrent tragedy abuse in football. Along with our clubs and the authorities, we are committed to sanctioning those found guilty and will also focus on educating fans of all ages, so they understand why this abuse is so hurtful and unacceptable.'
In November of that year, the FA said it was working to address tragedy-related chanting, gesturing and displaying of abusive messages.
It referred to education resources launched by the Premier League aimed at helping children understand the hurt and impact of behaviour like tragedy-related abuse, which included an in-classroom lesson made available to more than 18,000 primary schools and 60,000 teachers in England and Wales in November as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme.
The resource was supported by Liverpool supporter Margaret Aspinall, former Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, whose son James died in the Hillsborough disaster.
At the time she said: 'Football brings so much joy to so many people all over the world, but there is no need for people to be chanting in the way they do. The pain it causes is unbearable; we do not deserve to hear these chants, they hurt just as much as losing your child. If you hear that chanting, go to a steward, report it as, through the proper authorities, you can change things. Anything that offends or hurts anybody is never acceptable.'
Coppin, of Essex Police, was given a three-year football banning order and ordered to pay £645 in fines after pleading guilty to tragedy chanting at a Premier League match at Anfield against Chelsea last October.
A misconduct panel chaired by Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, held on 7 February, found Coppin had breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
Harrington acknowledged Coppin's remorse and a previously unblemished policing career but found he would be dismissed from the force without notice and placed on the College of Policing barred list.
He said: 'Ex-Sgt Coppin's dismissal is the result of a moment's serious stupidity, but this is the only appropriate outcome.
'It is clear that ex-Sgt Coppin was remorseful and may not have been aware of the impact of his words, but he has been criminally convicted of a public order offence.
'His actions will seriously undermine public trust and confidence and I must send a clear message to officers, staff and the wider public that behaviour such as this cannot and will not be tolerated in policing.
'If officers are responsible for upholding the law, it cannot be right that they break it.'
Read more
Arrests after 'tragedy chanting' at Liverpool vs Manchester United match (Manchester Evening News)
Football's referee crisis: we asked thousands of refs about the abuse and violence that's driving them out of the game (The Conversation)
