A Leeds United supporter who made homophobic remarks and gestures during a game was given a five-year football suspension.
At a Leeds United home game at Elland Road on March 11, Adam Slater, a Bramley resident, was detained for hurling racist epithets towards Brighton & Hove Albion supporters.
The 23-year-old was allegedly recorded on camera making homophobic remarks and hand gestures by “evidence gathers” from the force who were stationed within the South Stand on game day, according to West Yorkshire Police.
On Wednesday, September 20, magistrates gave Slater a five-year prohibition. Following his appearance at Leeds Magistrates Court in May, where he pled guilty and was fined, he was charged with a public order offense.
Slater has been prohibited from Elland Road by Leeds United in addition to the court order.
The words and gestures used by Slater were likely to harass, alarm, and distress anyone within hearing distance of him, according to chief inspector Pete Hall, who oversaw the policing operation at the game. “Anyone who behaves in this way should be prepared to face the consequences,” he added.
“Homophobic abuse, as well as any other type of bigotry, has no place in football, and we know that all genuine football supporters, irrespective of team allegiances, share that opinion.
We hope that this most recent action will serve as a clear reminder to others. “We will continue to work closely with Leeds United and visiting clubs to investigate any offenses and take robust action wherever possible, including seeking football banning orders,” the statement read.
Fight against homophobia in football
The FA is putting more pressure on teams to stop homophobic taunts and chants among their supporters, which is why Slater was banned.
The homophobic “Chelsea rent boy” cry, which has been labeled as a hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), has been used by fans at games, according to a January announcement from the Football Association.
Director of Public Prosecutions for the CPS Max Hill at the time called the chant a “disease” that had “no place within society, let alone sport.”
The FA previously declared, “We stand firmly against all forms of discrimination and are working to ensure our game is a safe environment for everybody, which really celebrates diversity and opposes intolerant conduct both on and off the ground.
Because of the emphasis placed on eliminating prejudice from football, several fans from different clubs have been detained, accused of crimes, and given suspensions for recent homophobic remarks and gestures.
Wolverhampton Wanderers received a record-breaking £100,000 fine in July for failing to stop fans from singing the song during an April encounter against Chelsea.
Wolverhampton Wanderers received a record-breaking £100,000 fine in July for failing to stop fans from singing the song during an April encounter against Chelsea.
Action against clubs for supporter behavior, however, may only be taken if it takes place after the FA’s January judgement. Because the instances occurred before the FA updated its guidance on January 11, investigations of homophobic chanting by Manchester United, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest fans could not be conducted.
Leave a Reply