“It’s Just Banter”: The Cost of Sexist Chants in Football

SW6 Isn’t Wonderful for All - Kick It Out: Tackling Sexist Chanting in Football

The Fulham Lillies were recently invited by Kick It Out to support the launch of their latest campaign tackling sexist chanting in football. As part of the campaign, our Vice Chair, Hayley Davinson, appeared on Sky Sports News and BBC Radio 5 Live to talk about the real impact of sexist abuse on women and girls attending matches.

Sexist chanting has plagued football for decades. While racism and homophobia are increasingly recognised as unacceptable in stadiums, misogynistic abuse is still often brushed off as “just banter”—something women are expected to tolerate if they want to be part of football culture. But this so-called banter creates a hostile environment that tells women they’re not welcome, not respected, and not seen as equal fans.

Football chants are a cherished part of the matchday experience. They bring passion, humour, and unity to the terraces—whether it’s a light-hearted dig, a tribute to a player, or an emotional call to arms. But some chants cross a line. They’re not funny. They’re not clever. They’re sexist.

Take the SW6 chant, which Fulham fans have heard for years. On the surface, it celebrates Fulham and our home in SW6. But the lyrics reveal a different message:

Oh SW6 is wonderful,Oh SW6 is wonderful,It's full of tits, fanny and Fulham,Oh SW6 is wonderful.

Let’s be clear: this chant reduces women to body parts and sexual availability. It doesn’t celebrate women—it objectifies them. In this song, women are not fellow fans, not part of the Fulham community—they're simply there for male consumption. It lumps women in with the club as something to be owned, enjoyed, and laughed about.

Some will argue it’s “just a laugh” or “we’ve always sung it.” But casual sexism like this feeds into a wider football culture where women are sidelined or silenced. The Fulham Lillies was created to make sure women and girls feel welcome at Fulham. Chants like this undermine that. They send the message that if you’re a woman, your place in the stands is conditional—and that’s not good enough.

This issue isn't unique to Fulham. Just this past weekend, Manchester United fans chanted about Phil Foden’s mum. It was disgusting—and yet some pundits, including Troy Deeney, defended it as part of football “tradition.” That kind of response fuels the fire of misogyny. It excuses abuse. It makes the game less safe, less inclusive, and less enjoyable for millions of fans.

When sexist language becomes normalised, it creates a culture where abuse is easier to justify. We know the link between how women are spoken about and how they are treated is real. Language matters—and chants like these have consequences. They make female supporters feel unsafe. They deter young girls from coming to games. They reinforce outdated stereotypes that have no place in modern football.

The Kick It Out campaign is a vital step in calling time on this culture. As Fulham Lillies, we’ll keep pushing for a game where all fans—regardless of gender—feel safe, respected, and truly part of the community.

Football is for everyone. Chants that demean women don’t reflect the inclusive, welcoming club we want Fulham to be. And this doesn’t mean the end of terrace chants—far from it. Fulham fans are creative and passionate, and there are so many brilliant, non-sexist songs that celebrate our team, our history, and our identity.

SW6 is wonderful. But it’s time we found a better way to sing about it.