AN EX-ARSENAL prodigy and international star launched a homophobic rant at a police officer after he was arrested for drink-driving.
Mahlon Romeo, 28, was fined last month for driving under the influence and being abusive towards a police officer.
The Cardiff City full-back used homophobic slurs while he was held in a police station on February 8.
He told officers at Cardiff City police station that they were “all c***s and repeatedly called one officer “a gay c***” and “gay boy” as well as branding him a “n***e,” according to Wales Online.
The Antigua and Barbuda international used homophobic language “numerous” times during the incident.
The ex-Arsenal youth player pleaded guilty to driving his Mercedes-Benz with 58mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
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The legal limit is 35mcg.
Appearing at Cardiff Magistrates’ court, he also admitted to a public order offence following his homophobic rant to a police officer.
Romeo was fined £3,317 for the public order offence and £4,423 for drink-driving.
The full-back also received a 14-month driving ban and was ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the officer, £3,095 in victim surcharges and £85 in prosecution costs.
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Cardiff City’s website says it is committed to “eliminating discrimination” over sexual orientation.
In February, the club announced it was supporting the “Football V Homophobia” campaign and was taking “a clear stand against homophobia and transphobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game”.
Romeo previously made headlines after he spoke out against “discriminatory behaviour” during his time at Millwall in 2020.
It came after fans booed the players for taking the knee in an anti-racism gesture.
He said those protesting the gesture had: “personally disrespected not just me but the football club”.
The footballer added: “What they’ve done is booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which was put in place to highlight, combat and stop any discriminatory behaviour and racism.”
In April, Erol In April, Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut announced that Mahlon Romeo and another teammate had been disciplined by the club.
Bulut failed to expand on the details but described the move as an “internal” issue.
“I said at the start of the season, discipline and respect is the most important thing for me,” he said.
“They were a little bit away from that.”
Romeo returned to the first team just over a week after those comments and appeared in Cardiff City’s final three games of the season.
The Sun has approached Mahlon Romeo for comment.
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It comes after cops arrested two Premier League stars over an alleged rape.
And German riot police had bottles and chairs chucked at them by Serbian ultras in shocking scenes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
