Graham Smyth has urged authorities to put a halt to the Jimmy Savile chants directed at Leeds United fans, with the EFL already conducting an investigation.
On March 5, the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist took to X, noting that no one seems eager to discuss the conversation in public, but something needs to be done about the chants.
Smyth stated that the EFL has already began investigating the issue, but that additional occurrences as Leeds faced Huddersfield require greater haste.
Tragedy chanting is unacceptable—at Elland Road and everywhere else.
Authorities have previously taken action against so-called “tragedy chanting” from Manchester United and Liverpool in response to the Munich air disaster and Hillsborough disaster, respectively; it is now time to act on the Savile chants.
Individual fans have been detained for tragedy chanting as recently as last weekend, when a Manchester City fan was led out of The Etihad [Daily Mail, 3 March], and away fans’ songs at Elland Road should be subjected to the same standard of accountability.
As Smyth explained in his article for the Yorkshire Evening Post, an incident against Plymouth earlier this season caused waves of amusement around Home Park, where Leeds fans had gathered in large numbers.
Supporters that make light of the horrific occurrences in order to score points against the rival should be condemned under all circumstances.
These cries are heard all too often at Elland Road and when Leeds travels away, and while they have been ignored for years, competent authorities must take action to put an end to them.
