Leicester City supporter who shouted homophobic chant at Brighton fans avoids football banning order

• e-mail

A Leicester City fan who shouted a homophobic chant at Brighton fans earlier this season has escaped a ban from attending football matches.

Jason Holmes, 44, admitted shouting 'q***r' at the group of Brighton fans three times following the Foxes' 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium on August 19, with the incident witnessed by police.

The court was told how each time Holmes shouted the slur he ducked down to avoid being seen, which he said in court he believed at the time to be just 'football banter'.

Jason Holmes has avoided a football banning order for shouting homophobic abuse

He was handed a fine of £300 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30, but escaped a football banning order because he attended a course run by Kick It Out, football's 'equality and inclusion organisation'.

Holmes represented himself in court and pleaded guilty to engaging in indecent chanting and told the court he knew he had done wrong as he showed remorse following the incident.

Addressing the magistrates he said: 'I know I shouldn't have done it. At the time I just thought it was football banter. I know I did wrong.'

Magistrate Andrew Holt said Holmes' attendance on the course and the remorse he had since shown contributed to the decision not to impose a banning order but did reiterate: 'The term q***r is not acceptable.' 

Leicester issued a statement shortly after the incidents saying the club was 'disappointed' such abuse took place.

The incident happened at Leicester's game against Brighton at the King Power Stadium

'We are committed to creating a passionate, inclusive, welcoming environment at King Power Stadium, in which everyone is free to enjoy the matchday experience, the statement read.

'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 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.'