Leeds United are urging UK authorities to reclassify chants about Jimmy Savile as "tragedy chanting," which would make them prosecutable as public order offences.
The Yorkshire club maintains that its supporters endure these taunts at every fixture from opposing fans, despite the notorious sex offender having no connection whatsoever to the football club.
Savile was born in Leeds and lived there for much of his life, but he never had any affiliation with the team.
The issue resurfaced during last weekend's FA Cup fifth-round match against Norwich City at Elland Road.
Both travelling and home fans allegedly sang songs referencing the disgraced former BBC presenter.
Under existing Crown Prosecution Service guidelines, such chants fall outside current legislation because they lack a direct connection to football.
The CPS defines tragedy chanting as abuse relating to fatal incidents or stadium disasters affecting players, supporters or officials of rival clubs.
Examples specified in official guidance include the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies, the Bradford City fire, the Munich air disaster, and the death of former Cardiff player Emiliano Sala.
Leeds United are urging UK authorities to reclassify chants about Jimmy Savile as 'tragedy chanting'
| REUTERSTougher regulations introduced in 2023 enabled prosecution of such chants as public order offences, potentially resulting in football banning orders that restrict attendance at matches.
However, references to Savile remain beyond the scope of these rules because they do not pertain directly to football matters.
The FA has consulted with the UK Football Policing Unit, which has liaised with the CPS on the matter, but has been informed that singing about Savile does not currently constitute a criminal offence.
Leeds United have now called for the classification to be expanded so such behaviour can be prosecuted as a hate crime.
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Jimmy Savile died in 2011 | PAA club spokesman told The Athletic: "Leeds United Football Club have lobbied and would be fully supportive of Jimmy Savile chants being classed as tragedy chanting and a hate crime.
"The club's supporters are subjected to these sickening taunts at every match by opposition fans, which should not be happening in today's game and are a disgrace to the victims of Jimmy Savile's abuse.
"Equally, the club disapproves of retaliatory chants from our own supporters.
"The club is pleased this is finally being brought to the forefront by the media and hope that this can be the first step in helping to eradicate these chants, with support of the relevant governing bodies."
Leeds United have now called for the classification to be expanded so such behaviour can be prosecuted as a hate crime
| GETTYThe Football Association responded by strongly condemning offensive, abusive and discriminatory chanting in stadiums.
An FA spokesman said: "It is unacceptable and can have a lasting and damaging impact on people and communities within our game - and we support any club and their fans who try to eradicate this behaviour from the terraces."
Katie Russell, co-founder of Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds, argued that authorities were "clamping down on one type of tragedy and turning a blind eye to another," describing this approach as "bizarre."
She warned that such chanting "trivialises male sexual violence" and is "triggering and distressing for survivors".
Mick Ward from the Marching Out Together supporters' group called for police intervention, he said: "I'm sure they are capable of arresting someone for singing a song about a paedophile and a rapist."