A Manchester United supporter has received a three-year stadium ban following homophobic posts on social media targeting Chelsea supporters.
The individual used the "rent boys" slur, which authorities classify as hate-crime language.
The supporter's online activity included offensive remarks about United's Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot, whom he described using homophobic terminology.
His social media posts prompted the club to take swift disciplinary action.
Manchester United have banned a fan for three years after a social media post
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Following reports of the discriminatory content, United enforced their strict policies against such behaviour.
The suspension prevents the individual from attending or purchasing tickets for any matches during the three-year period.
The Crown Prosecution Service has formally designated the "rent boys" term as hate-crime language, recognising its discriminatory nature against Chelsea supporters.
This classification underscores the severity of such language in modern football.
The banned supporter's offensive conduct extended beyond the Chelsea slur.
Diogo Dalot was also targeted in another post
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He publicly boasted about using homophobic language to describe Diogo Dalot, United's full-back, referring to the player as "a gay ****" during a recent match.
The individual even claimed that officials had attempted to remove him from the stadium following his derogatory remarks about the Portuguese international.
His brazen attitude towards using discriminatory language ultimately led to the club's decisive action.
United's correspondence to the supporter explicitly stated: "It has recently come to our attention that you may have breached our official terms and conditions.
Specifically, we understand that you have used homophobic written communication or online towards Chelsea and their supporters."
The email confirmed that such conduct violates ground regulations and constitutes an offence under the club's sanctions framework.
First-time violations result in automatic three-year suspensions covering both home and away fixtures.
Prior to September's Old Trafford clash with Chelsea, United had issued clear guidance to supporters. The club declared: "We want to be absolutely clear, this chant is offensive, inappropriate and has no place at our stadium or within our game."
Manchester United reiterated their position through a spokesperson: "Manchester United has zero tolerance of discriminatory language or behaviour of any kind."
The suspended individual retains the right to challenge the decision through the club's appeals process.
His response to the ban included posting "Whatever happened to free speech" on social media platform X, alongside a screenshot of his suspension notice.
The Football Association has previously imposed significant financial penalties on clubs whose supporters have used the "rent boys" chant within stadiums.
Growing pressure continues for football authorities to demonstrate tangible measures against homophobic language, whether expressed at grounds or through digital platforms.