Brighton and Hove Albion fans report homophobic abuse to the FA

Two Brighton and Hove Albion fan clubs have reported cases of homophobic abuse to the Football Association, and have said that fans were subjected to homophobic abuse at more than half of the team’s games.

The complaint was filed by the Brighton and Hove Supporters Club and the Gay Football Supporters’ Network, and says that fans were on the receiving end of homophobic abuse at 57% of matches.

The two organisations said in a statement: “Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters’ Club has spent over 15 years trying to get the authorities to take this regular abuse of one club’s fans seriously.

“We would like our fans to be able to go to games with kids or their grandparents and not hear much of the stuff we are subjected to, it’s our basic human right.

“Our campaigning with the help of the Football Supporters’ Federation has led to ‘homophobic abuse’ being included in the list of unacceptable behaviour in ground regulations, yet many clubs, their stewards and their fans do not seem to know what constitutes ‘homophobic abuse’.”

Earlier this week a footballer at what has been described as Russia’s most racist football club, has heavily criticised fans who supported a manifesto late last year calling for the club to discriminate against gay and black players. 

Former Leeds United player Robbie Rogers, recently explained why coming out as gay meant he had to retire immediately as a professional footballer.

The 25-year-old went public about his sexuality in a post on his personal website in February.

Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson recently backed calls for professional clubs to do more to combat homophobia by the Football v Homophobia campaign.

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