Fans ejected from Brighton football match over homophobic chants
Police are investigating homophobic chanting at a football match between Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Brighton football club, which is based in the town with a famously large LGBT population, has frequently been subjected to homophobia at matches.
Football execs have vowed to stamp out homophobic chanting at the team’s matches, and took swift action during Saturday’s Premiere League match at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
When Leicester City fans began targeting their rivals with anti-gay chants, the home team swung into action, ejecting dozens of fans from the stadium.
Police are actively reviewing footage of the incident, while The Independent reports that two arrests have been made.
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
A spokesperson for Leicester City FC said that a “minority” of its fans were involved.
The team rep said: “We are committed to creating a passionate, inclusive, welcoming environment at King Power Stadium, in which everyone is free to enjoy the matchday experience.
“As part of our on-going efforts to educate our staff, senior King Power Stadium stewards undertook specialist training during the summer in effectively identifying offensive behaviour, including contributions from Leicester’s LGBT Centre on recognising homophobic abuse.
“While [we are] disappointed that such abuse took place during Saturday’s match, we are satisfied that our stewards reacted swiftly and appropriately, which led to the responsible minority being ejected from the stadium and reported to the police.”
Leicester won the game 2-0.
A recent documentary featured gay rugby player Gareth Thomas challenging homophobes who had targeted Brighton with slurs.
The doc showed homophobic chants and gestures by Leeds United fans at a match against Brighton.
Threatening homophobic comments were also left on a Crystal Palace message board, targeting Brighton’s gay fans.
Thomas said: “The most surprising thing out of everything is the acceptance of the level of abuse – the normality that abuse has been given. I find that unacceptable.
“It’s a human right that we are allowed to be who we want to be – but within this game if you’re not the stereotypical male or female we expect you to be then we’re allowed to abuse you for 90 minutes.
“I would give my right arm to sit down in a room with one of these people, just to understand their views.”
Related: Gay rugby player challenges homophobic internet trolls to say it to his face
