Leeds United condemn homophobic chants aimed at Conor Gallagher as 'unacceptable' - Leeds Live 1/12/21

The Chelsea loanee was a target for Leeds United this summer and was subject to abusive chants from fans after he chose to move to Crystal Palace

Leeds United secured a vital 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last night, as Raphinha dispatched a stoppage time penalty to claim the points at Elland Road.

However, a controversial mark on the game was offensive chants aimed at Chelsea loanee, Conor Gallagher, with a homophobic slur thrown at the midfielder, dubbing him a ‘Chelsea rentboy’.

The chants came on a night which was the designated 'Rainbow Laces' game as the club partnered with LGBT+ charity Stonewall and the club have moved to condemn the chants.

"Overall the support from Leeds United supporters at last night's game with Crystal Palace was magnificent, once again the fans got behind the team and played a huge part in pushing the players on to get the late winner.

"We are aware of a homophobic chant directed at a Crystal Palace player and we want to be very clear that this is unacceptable.

"We will continue to work closely with Marching Out Together and all of our supporter groups to ensure that we do everything within our power to eradicate homophobia and any other form of discrimination from our football club."

Meanwhile, LGBT+ Leeds supporters group, Marching Out Together said: "Last night was our Rainbow Laces game. The club have actively supported the campaign again this year.

"The work we do with the club receives the support from the overwhelming majority of Leeds fans, who welcome inclusion and support for the LGBT+ community.

"However, work still needs to be done, and unacceptable chanting can still occasionally be heard. The rent boy chant last night is one example of that.

"It is unarguably homophobic and unacceptable at all times. We wrote a piece condemning the use of the rent boy chant and explaining why it is homophobic last year.

"It was certainly regrettable to hear last night - but the club's ongoing powerful message of support for equality resonated much stronger on a night where we could celebrate that things are changing for the better in the game of football, when it comes to LGBT+ inclusion."