Footballer guilty of homophobic gesture during Brighton match
A footballer accused of making a homophobic gesture to Brighton fans during a Championship match has been convicted.
Colin Kazim-Richards made the gesture while playing for Blackburn Rovers at Brighton and Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium on 12 February 2013.
The 27-year-old, who currently plays for Turkish side Bursaspor, previously denied a charge made under Section 5 of the Public Order Act.
A witness saw him backing into Brighton player Wayne Bridge and simulating a sex act with his left hand which was deemed to be homophobic, Brighton and Hove Magistrates’ Court was told.
Stan Reiz, defending, said hand gestures were made during football matches all the time and that due to the Brighton having a large gay community an innocent hand gesture made behind his back had been perceived as being homophobic.
Kazim-Richards has been fined £750 plus a £75 victim surcharge and £620 costs.
