Nottingham Forest and Derby County have issued a joint statement saying a zero-tolerance policy will be in place against obscene, abusive and hate-filled social media posts and singing.
The two clubs issued a joint statement this morning (Friday March 9) saying they are determined to clamp down on offensive social media comments.
Forest and Derby face off in the East Midlands derby in the Sky Bet Championship on Sunday (March 11) at 2.30pm.
The joint statement said: “By way of example, the respective clubs will adopt a zero-tolerance policy to social media comments designed to promote hatred regarding the death of former Forest owner Nigel Doughty and the tragic Derby house fire in which six young children died.
“These topics have been used to cause offence by a tiny minority of supporters in the past.
“This behaviour sickens the overwhelming number of fans of both clubs and will not be tolerated.
“The clubs will look to impose severe sanctions on anyone found to be making comments of this nature.
“Both clubs wish to honour and respect the robust nature of the rivalry between them and the passion and desire of their supporters.
“However this must not be seen as an excuse by a tiny minority to engage in criminal and obscene behaviour which causes offence to the huge majority of supporters of both clubs.”
Forest and Derby have also said they will both take action against any individual involved in chanting inside the stadium.
