At recent away matches we’ve been aware of an increase in the use of the ‘g-word’, which is the derivative of gypsy used at the end of a popular chant about our local rivals.
We are fully aware that our supporters have used this chant for several years, and that the reminders issued ahead of the home match against Luton in October and across the season represent the first time we have been specific about it. We’re also aware that many of our supporters consider the word to be ‘football banter’ and ‘part of the game’ rather than a racist word.
The barriers which Roma, Gypsy and Traveller people face in modern Britain have been laid bare in unprecedented survey data recently released, which reveals extremely high levels of racial assault. The figures were recorded as part of the Evidence for Equality National Survey (Evens) of ethnic and religious minorities, which included the largest number of Roma, Gypsy and Traveller participants in any national survey to date. The research found that 62 per cent of Gypsy or Traveller people had experienced a racial assault. The percentage exceeded that for any other ethnic minority group, while one in three experienced a physical racist attack.
Our position on racism and all other forms of discrimination inside stadiums and in reply to our social media posts has been made very clear through the promotion of the We Campaign, which was created to help us tackle incidents of discrimination as and when they happen. The word in question is racist, its use can be classed as a hate crime and we will no longer ignore its use at our matches.
Having been at the forefront of football’s campaign to be fully inclusive since Graham Taylor and Sir Elton John joined forces to put Watford on the map, we don’t believe for one moment that our supporters would use other more commonly-known racist or discriminatory words in chants.
The club is currently investigating three separate incidents that were reported following the Luton Town match, and thanks those supporters who have called out the use of the g-word. We remain proud of our record in this regard and ask everyone to play their part in tackling discrimination by no longer using the g-word in chants.
Click HERE to find out more about Watford FC’s commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
