A ‘tragedy chanting’ police officer who was sacked and barred after singing an offensive song at a Liverpool match has been pictured for the first time.
Sergeant Tyler Coppin, of Essex Police, previously pleaded guilty to the public order offence towards Liverpool fans at a Premier League match at Anfield against Chelsea on October 20 2024.
He was seen by club stewards chanting towards the home fans, before being ejected from the stadium and arrested by Merseyside Police.
‘Tragedy chanting’ is when fans sing, chant or gesture offensive messages about disasters or accidents involving players or fans.
Chelsea-supporting Coppin was given a three-year football banning order and ordered to pay £645 in fines and costs in December, Merseyside Police said.
Essex Police then instigated misconduct proceedings against Coppin because of his conviction.
A misconduct panel, chaired by Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, found Coppin had breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
He was dismissed from the force without notice and will be placed on the College of Policing barred list.
Sergeant Tyler Coppin (pictured), of Essex Police, previously pleaded guilty to the public order offence towards Liverpool fans at a Premier League match at Anfield against Chelsea on October 20, 2024
Chelsea-supporting Coppin (pictured) was given a three-year football banning order and ordered to pay £645 in fines and costs in December, Merseyside Police said
Mr Harrington acknowledged Coppin’s remorse for the incident and his previously unblemished policing record but added this decision was ‘the only appropriate outcome’.
The Chief Constable said: ‘Ex-Sgt Coppin’s dismissal is the result of a moment’s serious stupidity, but this is the only appropriate outcome.
‘It is clear that ex-Sgt Coppin was remorseful and may not have been aware of the impact of his words, but he has been criminally convicted of a public order offence.
‘His actions will seriously undermine public trust and confidence and I must send a clear message to officers, staff and the wider public that behaviour such as this cannot and will not be tolerated in policing.
‘If officers are responsible for upholding the law, it cannot be right that they break it.’
Ch Insp Kevin Chatterton from Merseyside Police said: ‘This type of behaviour has no place in football.
‘We will take action and identify those who commit hate crime in any form, and this includes unacceptable chanting which causes distress to others.’
Chelsea FC wrote in a ‘fan information and chant warning’ on its website last year: ‘Chelsea Football Club believes hateful chanting has no place in football.
It comes after Leeds United accused some Millwall fans of singing ‘vile chants’ during Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Elland Road.
Sergeant Tyler Coppin, of Essex Police, previously pleaded guilty to the public order offence towards Liverpool fans at a Premier League match at Anfield (pictured) against Chelsea last October 20
Visiting supporters marred their side’s first fourth-round win in six years with sick songs about the fatal stabbings of two Leeds fans in Istanbul in 2000.
Home boss Daniel Farke and Millwall manager Alex Neil both condemned the chants of ‘Where were you in Istanbul?’ and ‘Always look out for Turks carrying knives’, which were heard in the first half.
Leeds said in a statement: ‘We were extremely disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football tragedies from the away section at Elland Road.
‘We know the impact this has on the families of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, along with the whole fanbase of Leeds United.
‘We will work with the police and Millwall Football Club to identify those involved, whilst we will also continue our efforts with the football authorities to help eradicate these chants from the game.’
Millwall responded: ‘The club strongly condemns all forms of football tragedy abuse and is appalled to receive reports of such chanting from a minority at today’s fixture.
‘Both clubs have suffered tragic losses to their respective families in recent history. Chanting about this is entirely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the club or the governing bodies.
‘It has no place in football and the club will work closely with Leeds United and authorities to identify those responsible.’
Leeds boss Farke added: ‘There is nothing more stupid than this old quote that football’s not about life or death, it’s much more serious. It is a stupid quote and has nothing to do with the values of the whole football world. If someone didn’t reach the standards today, it is important to look into the situation.’
The abhorrent songs soured an otherwise memorable afternoon for Millwall, who inflicted a first home defeat on Championship table toppers Leeds since September and a first loss anywhere in 15 games.
Guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service means chanting about tragedies can be classed as a criminal offence under the Public Order Act 1986, which outlaws behaviour in public that intentionally causes ‘alarm or distress’.
Football clubs and officials are backing the crackdown by issuing stadium bans and football banning orders to fans caught tragedy chanting, as well as by passing CCTV footage over to the police.
Most supporters are sickened by tragedy chants, and in 2023 Nottingham Forest fans unveiled a banner at Liverpool calling for ‘respect’ for the 97 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster.
Critics admit it can be hard to understand what motivates offenders, but say ‘pure tribalism’ and ‘the need to hurt’ are significant factors.
