Leicester ban three supporters for homophobic chanting at Brighton game

LEICESTER CITY have issued stadium bans to three people who were involved in homophobic chanting at the King Power Stadium at the game against Brighton in August.

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Leicester City's King Power Stadium

A Leicester statement read: “The Football Club is committed to protecting the matchday environment at King Power Stadium, and as a result has issued three bans varying in length from 2-12 months.”

Two of those banned have also been subject to criminal proceedings with one resulting in a conditional police caution and another a significant fine.

“We fully support the club’s decision to ban these individuals,” said Superintendent Steve Potter of Leicestershire Police, who was the match commander for the fixture on August 19.

"Their behaviour was inexcusable and will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with the club to ensure those who are intent on disrupting the enjoyment for others are robustly dealt with."

But Jason Holmes, 44, of Mossgate, Leicester, who admitted to shouting a slur three times was not banned.

Magistrates in Leicester handed him a fine of £300 and ordered him to pay costs of £85 as well as a £30 victim surcharge after he pleaded guilty to making homophobic remarks.

King Power StadiumGETTY

King Power Stadium - where the abuse took place

The prosecution explained it would not be applying for a football banning order because Homes attended a course run by Kick It Out, football’s “equality and inclusion organisation”.

Brighton is a city well-known for having a substantial lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

According to eyewitnesses, the abuse began in the closing stages of the game the hosts won 2-0 thanks to goals from Shinji Okazaki and Harry Maguire.

“In the last 20 or so minutes the chanting started towards the Brighton fans and then after that it got a bit more nasty with a few isolated shouts, which were a bit more malicious,” Leicester fan Chris Whiting told the BBC.

“It made me very shaken, I felt a bit unsafe and very unwelcome in a place I've been going to since I was eight years old.”

A Brighton fan, who did not wish to be named, told the Leicester Mercury the abuse was “like something out of the 1970s”.

“We’ve encountered abuse over the years, but it’s all but gone from the game,” the away fan said.

“However, a group of around 20 to 30 Leicester City fans close to Brighton supporters suddenly started chanting vicious homophobic abuse and making homophobic gestures.

“It was like something out of the 1970s, and this sort of bigoted, small minded behaviour needs to be stopped and those involved ejected from the ground.”

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