Chelsea Homophobic Supporter Banned to Attending Games For Using Anti Gay Slurs During Premier Game

                  

A Chelsea supporter who pleaded guilty to shouting anti-gay abuse during a Premier League game against Brighton has been banned from attending football matches for three years.

George Bradley, a 20-year-old Blues fan, admitted a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment during the match at the Amex Stadium on Dec. 16.

He was also fined £965 after appearing at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Thursday. It is not yet clear whether Chelsea will take their own action. 

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A Brighton spokesperson said: "We would like to thank Sussex Police for their assistance in dealing with this unsavoury incident, and we are very pleased with the outcome.

"It underlines both their and our commitment to a zero tolerance policy on any form of abuse from those attending matches at the Amex.

"We would remind all fans that we will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour at the stadium and will always take the strongest possible action."

Darren Balkham, Sussex Police's football policing officer, added: "Mr Bradley pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and accepted his behaviour was not acceptable and this was recognised by the court.

"I would urge any supporter attending the Amex to report these incidents to either a steward or police officer to allow us to take action at the time."

Chelsea have pledged to take the strongest possible action against any racist or discriminatory words or actions from their own supporters after a series of damaging incidents in recent weeks.

Last month the Blues announced they had banned four supporters from attending games at Stamford Bridge "pending further investigations" into alleged racist abuse directed at Manchester City star Raheem Sterling during a Premier League match in December.

UEFA are also investigating alleged antisemitic chanting from a minority of travelling Chelsea supporters during a Europa League group game against Vidi -- an incident that a Blues spokesperson said had "shamed the club" -- with a decision on possible punishment expected in mid-January.

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