Luton Town Football Club has been slapped with a £120,000 fine and issued a two-year action plan by the Football Association following homophobic chanting by its supporters during their Premier League season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 12, 2023.

The Hatters, who secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in 31 years last May, have admitted to the charge and have pledged to ban any identified fans involved in the incident.

An FA statement confirmed the punishment, stating that an independent Regulatory Commission had imposed the action plan and fine on Luton Town for misconduct related to crowd control. 

“An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed an action plan and £120,000 fine on Luton Town for misconduct in relation to crowd control at their game against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday August 12 2023.

“Luton Town admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion; and do not use words or otherwise behave in a way which is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting with either express or implied reference to sexual orientation.” the statement read.

Luton Town, in response, reiterated its stance as an inclusive and family-oriented club that abhors abusive chanting and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of all kinds.“Those involved were committing a criminal offence and anyone subsequently identified will be issued with a club ban and face potential police investigation,” the club said