Evans, the F.A. And the law

[GiveMeRitz]

So reavealing the name of a rape victim is illegal, ok?

So all the 'fans' chanting her name is illegal, ok.

But obviously the police can't walk in arrest each of them.

But can't the F.A. (If they take this seriously ha ha) fine the club for their fans illegal behaviour.

Hit them where it hurts.

Almost definitely. There's an FA charge of essentially 'failing to control fans':

Each Affiliated Association, Competition and Club shall be responsible for ensuring:
(a) That its directors, players, officials, employees, servants, representatives, spectators, and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and refrain from any one or combination of the following: racist, violent, threatening, abusive, obscene or provocative behaviour, conduct or language whilst attending at or taking part in a Match in which it is involved, whether on its own ground or elsewhere...

It's generally used to sanction pitch invasions but I can't see a reason why it couldn't be invoked here

It's also regularly used to ban fans chanting racist abuse - the abuse can be drawn to the attention of stewards at the grounds, who then usually check CCTV to identify the culprits. The same zero tolerance approach should be taken towards other sorts of illegal behaviour.

Watching this..

Well the FA have to do something. It's an incitement to violence. And encourages other violent behaviours.

CCTV is everywhere in both leagues. This is not acceptable and if allowed to stand will give rise to racist behaviour.

England could loose out regarding the world cup and European cup as a result.

The FA can ban the clubs from future matches. The police can use CCTV to identify individual fans.

Celtic faces being fined for fans flying the Palestinian flag.

Why Celtic fans flew the flag for Palestine

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/aug/27/why-celtic-fans-flew-flag-for-palestine?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

What can we do? Social media campaign? Write letters? What is best way to engage?

Write letters/emails etc

Raise the issue on social media

The problem is that I don't think the FA gives a shit. If it won't take action when it's players admit to various crimes to them (even if they haven't been convicted, there are actions that can be taken) then I doubt they will do anything to protect this woman, no matter how illegal it is to chant her name.

They knew what was going on when they backed Evans going back into pro football after serving his jail term and did nothing. If they did nothing then to protect the victim of (as he was then) a convicted rapist, they're unlikely to bother themselves over her now. Alan Johnson's victim's name is a regular chant as well.

Adam even - fat fingers + phone + trying to concentrate in a library while a man snorts snot like a pig = brain melt.

I think a major tweet-fest to all the football clubs would be a good place to start.

Football is full of rank misogyny; that bastard Evans is just one example in a sea of too many, sadly.

This shows my age, but I'm still furious that Stan Collymore was allowed to continue playing for England after assaulting Ulrika Jonsson in public, in a bar back in the 1990s I think (not that I'm saying he should have been allowed to get away with it if he did in private, but I mean that there were hundreds of witnesses so there was absolutely no room for doubt whatsoever). I've seen Stan Collymore commenting on football matches on TV recently and it absolutely sickens me. How dare he show his face after what he did?

Gahhhhhhhh

Very good idea OP

Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. I agree with OP and shall be contacting my local football club (premier league) to see where they stand on this.

It is a good idea, I'm just a grumpy old cynic.

Actually, people who do this aren't committing a crime.

'Publishing' information (in the press, or online, using social media etc.) that identifies a rape victim is illegal. But chanting is not illegal and neither is telling everyone you know who she is.

However, something doesn't have to be illegal for the FA to ban it and rigorously enforce that ban, and they should absolutely do this.

It should be seen as a stain on the FA's reputation if they sit by and do nothing. I won't hold my breath though, given how corrupt, misogynist and amoral football culture is in general.

Maybe promote women's football? Perhaps a campaign to promote the game amongst girls? Only taking them to women's games. I'd seriously consider taking my little boy to an all woman match as a part protest/and promotion of women in sports.

Maybe promote men acting like human beings instead?

Yes, promoting women's football will do absolutely nothing to address the extreme rape culture in the men's game.