Arsenal Fan TV presenter Robbie Lyle has publicly criticised a section of the club's supporters for singing a controversial chant aimed at Everton fans during a Premier League match on Saturday, December 22, 2025.
Controversy Mars Gunners' Victory
The incident occurred during Arsenal's narrow 1-0 away win at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium. The precious three points saw Mikel Arteta's side reclaim top spot in the Premier League table, having been temporarily displaced by Manchester City's earlier victory over West Ham.
However, the competitive clash was overshadowed by audible chants of 'Feed the Scousers, let them know it's Christmas time' from some travelling Arsenal fans. The song, which originated with Manchester United supporters targeting Liverpool fans, is widely considered a form of poverty-shaming directed at the people of Merseyside.
Lyle's On-the-Ground Account and Fan Backlash
Robbie Lyle, who was present at the match, expressed his shock in a social media video. He described an unusually hostile reaction from the home support, who responded not with a retaliatory chant but with widespread booing.
'Normally you sing a chant about opposition fans and they come back with their own. It's a back-and-forth unique to UK football culture,' Lyle explained. 'But this one didn't bring that response. They started booing and they were very, very angry.'
The animosity spilled over after the final whistle. While Lyle and the AFTV crew conducted their usual post-match interviews, they were approached by angry Everton supporters who made their feelings clear. Lyle, who stated he has a normally decent relationship with Everton fans, emphasised that Scousers are proud people who felt belittled and labelled 'scummy' by the chant.
A Plea to Fans and Wider Context
Lyle directly addressed the Arsenal supporters involved, making it clear he was not trying to be the 'chanting police' or kill all banter. However, he urged them to reconsider when a chant clearly causes deep offence.
'If you're doing a chant and it's obvious that this is going down terribly with the opposition fans who find it deeply, deeply offensive, then I feel you've crossed the line,' he stated.
This is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, supporters of Nottingham Forest and Chelsea have also been heard singing the same controversial chant. Reacting to the latest episode, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford offered a pragmatic view, calling it 'part of football' and urging his club and people from Merseyside not to get 'sucked into it'.
