A MANCHESTER CITY fan was ejected from the Etihad Stadium by police on Saturday after homophobically abusing a Leicester supporter – for the colour of his shirt.
The member of the travelling Foxes faithful was wearing the club’s pink away jersey in Level 2 of the away section, just across the barrier from the home seats, when he was targeted.
A Manchester City fan was ejected from the win over Leicester for homophobic abuseCredit: Getty – Contributor
Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, an anonymous caller said: “The Leicester City away kit is pink this year. One guy abused the person next to me.
“He shouted at him that he was a ‘bum boy’ and made a homophobic gesture.
“It got us mad. It got us really mad. How dare you say something like that? Words hurt.
“I’m not gay, neither is the person who I was with but we have members of our family that are. I find it really offensive that someone would do that.”
The two Leicester fans’ attempts to raise a complaint were initially rebuffed by the stewards who told them nothing could be done.
But after refusing to let the incident slide, the pair were interviewed by police at half-time of the 3-1 defeat for their side.
The anonymous fan added: “We immediately reported it to the stewards standing literally next to us. The steward’s reaction was, ‘I didn’t see it, I didn’t hear it, I can’t do anything.’
“We said that wasn’t good enough, we identified the guy and I actually took a photo of him.
“I said, ‘There he is, there is where he is sitting, that is what he said, this is what he did.’
He shouted at him that he was a ‘bum boy’ and made a homophobic gesture. How dare you say something like that? Words hurt
“Initially the stewards didn’t want to deal with it and didn’t. It was only when we said, ‘You need to do something about this. We are going to get the police involved.’
“After about ten to 15 minutes, the steward supervisor came up and at half-time one of the police officers came up and interviewed us and took a statement.
“We understand from the police that the man was thrown out. As soon as the guy realised this problem wasn’t going to go away, he dived out of his seat and didn’t return.
“He was ejected. He moved from his seat to another part of the ground but they did apprehend him.”
Both Manchester City and Greater Manchester Police provided statements to BBC Radio Leicester, which were read out on their Football Forum programme on Monday evening.
Manchester City said: “We immediately launched an internal inquiry with this accusation in mind and will cooperate fully with any authorities that require information.
“Manchester City condemns any acts of discrimination and challenge anybody who is discriminatory at their football club.”
FOXES PRIDE
The Greater Manchester Police statement read: “At around 6.40pm on Saturday 21 December, police officers were approached at the Etihad Stadium with a report of homophobic abuse.
“Officers spoke to the victim and dealt with the incident to their satisfaction. Greater Manchester Police take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and work with all football clubs across Greater Manchester.
“No kind of abuse will be tolerated.”
Graeme Smith, Chair of Leicester’s LGBT supporters group Foxes Pride, was a guest on the Football Forum and praised the supporters for reporting the abuse.
Responding to the anonymous caller’s account of events, Smith said: “Thanks so much for reporting it.
“We’ve always said as Foxes Pride it is really helpful when people that aren’t LGBT call it out and say something because ultimately that means the message is getting through.
“It sounds like the anonymous caller persisted and wouldn’t let go of it. I often say to people, if you’re child turns out to be LGBT, do you want to be the parent that stands there and ignores it?
“What will help, clearly, are ejections from the ground. I suggest there needs to be some education and restorative elements. If you use those words, I suspect it is because you don’t understand why they’re offensive.”
Less than 24 hours after the incident at the Etihad, Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was racially abused by a Tottenham fan during the Blues’ win at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho comments on racism attack on Antonio Rüdiger
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
