INTERNATIONAL rugby referee Nigel Owens has explained why he has taken the brave step of reporting homophobic remarks to the police.
One of the top refs in the game, Trimsaran-based Owens, who came out three years ago, was on duty at a Welsh premiership game between Llanelli and Neath at Parc y Scarlets last month when the alleged remarks were made.
Mr Owens told the Post he was thick-skinned enough to deal with the incident, but he was concerned it sent out the wrong message to young men struggling to come to terms with their own sexuality.
The 39-year-old, who has spoken openly about his own struggle with coming out and how he attempted suicide when he was 26, said: "Coming out and doing the job that I do, it's part and parcel, unfortunately. It's happened before and it will happen again. It's the first time it's happened when I have heard it so loud, the stadium was fairly empty and everyone there must have heard it, I know the players did.
"The reason something needs to be done about it, and why I took it to the police, however, is I recently spent six hours talking to a young rugby player who was contemplating taking his own life because he felt that he couldn't deal with coming out. I have been through it myself and was telling him people would understand. Then a few days later you get an idiot like that shouting homophobic abuse. It's really not on.
"The Samaritans will tell you that around 4,000 young men a year take their own life in the UK and the reason in some cases is because they can not adjust to being gay."
Llanelli police have made an appeal for information from rugby fans following the alleged homophobic incident at the match on Monday, November 15.
Police constable Wendy Janas said: "The comments were made just before the whistle went for half-time. If anyone heard anything that might assist us with our inquiries, I'd ask them to contact Llwynhendy police station on 101."
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