This article is published in today's Nottingham Post:
Police investigate chanting at Forest game
Police are treating a report of racist chanting by Nottingham Forest fans during the club's FA Cup derby with Leicester City as a "hate crime".
The force has launched an investigation after a member of the public complained about footage posted on the YouTube website which was recorded by a spectator at last Saturday's match at The City Ground.
The 53-second clip, posted online by user RedAndWhiteDogs, shows a handful of fans in the Main Stand directing chants at Leicester fans in the Bridgford Stand.
The fans are first heard chanting 'England, England, England' before shouting 'You're not anymore, you're not anymore, you used to be English, you're not anymore'.
The clip had last night been viewed more than 2,500 times.
Superintendent Mark Holland, who led the police operation at the match, said: "The incident is being treated as a hate crime and we are reviewing CCTV footage and following up on a number of lines of inquiry.
"We take all reports of racism very seriously and work extremely closely with the football clubs in a bid to kick racism out of the game."
A Nottingham Forest spokesman said: "Nottingham Forest have a zero tolerance attitude towards any inappropriate language at The City Ground.
"Any incidents of racial or abusive language reported to us during the game against Leicester City were dealt with immediately and appropriate action was taken.
"The club are continuing to assist the police with their investigation into this matter."
It is unclear whether the chants referred to Leicester City having Thai owners or the large Asian community in the city.
Having watched the footage Dr Kevin Harvey, a lecturer on sociolinguistics at the University of Nottingham, said: "The context is important in this case. Who or what are the fans directing their abuse at? Is it the owners of Leicester City or the Leicester people?
"Leicester is an ethnically diverse area so if they are aiming their aggression at that target it seems to me there's a prima facie case of racism.
"A lot of commentators argue in football matches you expect this and it's par for the course, but the question is when does it become abusive?"
Keith Mather, chairman of Nottingham Forest Supporters' Club, who went to the match, said: "I didn't hear the chants, but it is wrong and shouldn't be happening.
"In the 40 years I've been following Forest there's never been that underlying racial tension."
CCTV viewed in racist football chant probe
Police investigating alleged racist chants aimed at Leicester's Asian community at an FA Cup tie between Leicester and Nottingham Forest on Saturday are treating the incident as a hate crime.
Video clips posted on YouTube show a group of home fans aiming insults at Leicester City supporters inside and outside Forest's City Ground.
Two Forest fans, who could face lifetime bans, were thrown out after stewards intervened and alerted the police but they were not arrested.
Police said none of the 11 people arrested at the match were detained for alleged racist remarks but stressed investigations were continuing.
Superintendent Mark Holland of Nottinghamshire police said: "The incident is being treated as a hate crime and we are reviewing CCTV footage and following up on a number of lines of inquiry.
"We take all reports of racism very seriously."
The chanting has sparked a heated debate on fans forums which largely condemn those responsible.
Prith Singh, a City season ticket holder born in Leicester and who grew up in the shadow of Filbert Street, started one thread on the Foxes Talk forum.
He said: "I heard the racist chants in the City ground and I was subjected to abuse outside the ground when I was leaving."
He said: "We all like a bit of banter, but racist and homophobic chanting is derogatory and should not be allowed in 2012. Firm action must be taken."
Fellow City fan Kevin Coe, 44, from St Andrew's, Leicester, said: "It was disgusting and must be stamped out. I hope those responsible are banned. I was with my mate who is Asian and he and his son were visibly upset."
Leicester author and keen Liverpool supporter Bali Rai joined the debate on Twitter and said: "Racist issues in football are receiving high profile in the media at the moment. I have no time for racist chants."
Editor of The Fox Fanzine Gary Silke, who has followed City for 37 years, was at the game but did not hear the chants.
He said: "Racist chants are totally unacceptable but there are always a few idiots who make them. You try to ignore it but it is still bubbling underneath. However, it is a thousand times better than it used to be."
A Forest spokesman said: "Nottingham Forest have zero tolerance attitude towards any inappropriate language at The City Ground.
"Any incidents of racial or abusive language reported to us during the game against Leicester City were dealt with immediately and the necessary action was taken."The club will work with the police and continue to investigate any incidents reported. We support all police prosecutions where alleged racism is involved."
He said: "Our stewards identified two men who were allegedly making racist chants and they were removed."
The third round match ended in a 0-0 draw and the replay will be at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday January 18.
"Racist songs at cup game"
Allegations of racist and offensive chanting at Saturday's FA Cup match between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest are being investigated by police.
Sections of the home support at Forest's City Ground are said to have sung offensive chants aimed at Leicester's Asian population.
Videos have also surfaced on YouTube of Forest supporters racially abusing Asian City fans outside the stadium.
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire police confirmed it was aware of the incidents and would be investigating.
Nottingham Forest FC said it would work with the police and continue to investigate any incidents reported.
The third round match finished 0-0. The replay is at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday, January 18.
