A football club has banned a pre-match anthem for good after a meeting with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), leaving fans frustrated and branding it as ‘utter woke nonsense’
Wolves have announced they won’t reintroduce iconic pre-match song ‘Liquidator’ at Molineux.
It was first banned a number of years ago due to offensive chants aimed at rivals West Brom. But Nathan Shi, executive chairman of the Championship club, promised to re-think the decision to ban the song.
‘Liquidator’, a reggae instrumental by Jamaican band Harry J Allstars, is also played by Premier League club Chelsea.
While there had been some calls for ‘Liquidator’ to return for the new Championship season, Shi has now confirmed that the song will remain banned from use at home matches, following a review on the position.
“Having considered the history of the song, the views expressed by supporters and the club’s responsibilities around supporter behaviour, safety and governance, Wolves has decided that The Liquidator will not be reintroduced into the pre-match entertainment schedule at Molineux,” the club said in a statement on Thursday.
“The club recognises the significance of the song to sections of the Wolves support and its long association with the atmosphere at Molineux, however football, and the regulatory environment in which clubs operate, have changed considerably over the past two decades.
“In recent seasons, Wolves has been sanctioned by the Football Association in relation to mass discriminatory chanting, and against that backdrop, the club does not believe it would be appropriate to reintroduce a song which has historically prompted mass offensive chanting at Molineux.”
The decision has received a whole heap of backlash from both Wolves fans and the wider football community.
One supporter said on social media: “Absolutely pathetic decision. Easiest opportunity you’ll ever get to win the fans over Nathan. Making Molineux raucous brings the best out of the team and always has done. Shocker.”
A second wrote: “Nathan Shi has missed an open goal from 5 yards with a stationary ball here. Had a chance to really bring the match going fans back onside and has passed it up. Coupled with not delivering on his promises from the Fans Parliament, this is not a good look.”
A third put: “Woke excuse……missed a massive trick there, the atmosphere it feeds would be a huge strength for us at home.”