A Barnsley football fan has been cautioned for shouting homophobic abuse at Brighton supporters leaving a match at the Amex stadium. [A caution is an official formal warning from the police, which goes on ones criminal record.]
Sussex Police said officers initially "gave strong words of advice" to the 18-year-old after he shouted anti-gay chants at Falmer station on 6 November. Officers than discovered it was not an isolated incident and he was arrested at home in Bromley, south-east London. He was cautioned for using threatening words or behaviour on Monday.
Football liaison officer Pc Darren Balkham said the fan had been arrested after officers saw comments on a fans forum from other supporters. He added: "The Amex has quickly become established as a stadium that welcomes everyone, regardless of their individual personalities or preferences, and we are determined that anyone guilty of homophobic abuse will be dealt with. "Last month, a Southampton supporter was convicted of shouting anti-gay abuse during a match against Brighton and has been banned from football for three years. This latest caution, which came about as result of chat on a website fans' forum, demonstrates that we are taking this matter seriously and will take action."
In October, Brighton and Hove Albion fans called for the FA to do more to address homophobic chanting in football grounds. John Hewitt, chairman of the supporters club, said the problem was especially bad at away games. Homophobic and racist chants are outlawed by ground regulations.
Funke Awoderu, the FA's equality manager, said at the time that everyone needed to take responsibility for stopping abuse.
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