CLAIMS Crystal Palace fans have been guilty of homophobic chanting in matches against arch-rivals Brighton will be taken "very seriously", the club's foundation has said.
Last week, the Advertiser reported how The Gay Football Supporters' Network named and shamed 29 clubs whose fans take part in anti-gay chanting, with Palace among those pinpointed.
Today, head of the Crystal Palace FC Foundation Donald Forde and chairman David Groves have released a joint statement to the Advertiser, in response to the accusations.
They say: "On behalf of Crystal Palace FC Foundation, we would like to stress that everyone at Palace is committed to fighting all forms of discrimination in the game, including homophobia.
"We were disappointed to learn of the details of the report which stated that Brighton supporters have been subjected to abuse in more than half of their matches and, as one of the 29 clubs (from 92 in the Premier and Football League) supporting Football v Homophobia, take those claims very seriously.
"The club do not tolerate racist or homophobic chanting at Selhurst Park and will continue to work with the relevant bodies to eradicate behaviour like that from football grounds.
"Furthermore our work around tackling homophobia, which includes our Hearts and Minds project led by young people engaged in our youth programmes, has been singled out as national best practice by the Football Association, as well as recently nominated for the Innovation of the Year award by the Premier League for its National Kickz Awards.
"We are 'One Club, One Community'
