Maybe One Day.

With the continual rise of reports in antisemitic and racial slurs at Chelsea matches, change is vital for the future of football. The SU has often prided itself as an inclusive and progressive student body, who will take a stand when required. By not showing Chelsea football matches at the Packhorse, the SU has the opportunity to show their solidarity towards Jewish students at Royal Holloway. I am not calling for censorship or non-platforming, but for action. There are many pubs in the Egham area that will show Chelsea matches, and students would be free to watch whatever they want. But by refusing to show Chelsea matches at the only SU run pub, the SU would be sending a message that antisemitic in sports is not welcome and will not be ignored. My proposal is that, until significant change occurs, Chelsea football games should not be played at SU run outlets. I do not believe that peoples voices should be censored, but there is a time and a place for discussions. Football matches should be an event where thousands of people express their passion and support for the game, and their team. The kind of antisemitic chants does not show a passion towards the sport, but instead it highlights a toxic and aggressive attitude of some fans. If people wish to debate their opinions, I am all for that, but a football match should not be a place for such vile and isolating language. Again, this is not an anti-free speech proposal, but a call for reform within football. If the SU is serious about supporting and defending all students, a boycotting of Chelsea football matches would be a prime opportunity to show their solidarity with Jewish students at Royal Holloway. I hope that one day we will not have to deal with this, and discussions about football will be about the game, and not about behaviour and disgusting beliefs of the fans.