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Player fined for anti-gay gesture

Kazim-Richards becomes first professional to be convicted

Former Blackburn Rovers attacker Colin Kazim-Richards has been found guilty of making a homophobic gesture towards Brighton fans.

Kazim-Richards was convicted of using abusive or insulting behaviour and fined £750 by a Brighton magistrates court.

The Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) welcomed the courts strong view on the gesture, which was witnessed by thousands of fans in the stadium and attracted a large number of complaints.

GFSN chair Chris Basiurski said: "We accept that many people who take part in such behaviour are not homophobic or do not intend to cause offence, but just as making gestures relating to racial stereotypes is rightly seen as racism, so making gestures relating to sexual orientation is homophobic.

"It is unacceptable and as this case highlights, also amounts to criminal behaviour. Just as it is unacceptable to use race of skin colour as "banter," so it is unacceptable to use someone's actual or perceived sexual orientation.

"Hopefully this case will act as an important lesson for the game and help create an atmosphere where LGBT football fans are not subjected to the kind ridicule we have faced in the past."

The conviction was the first of its type for allegations of homophobia by a professional footballer.

During the match last February between Blackburn Rovers and Brighton, the 27-year-old "mimicked pulling his shorts down and put his left arm behind his bottom" after being called "fat" by the fans.

Kazim-Richards, who spent a season at Brighton, told the court he was "having a bit of banter" and "interacting with the fans."

He said: "I was basically doing what they were doing to me."

The extent of the abuse suffered by Brighton & Hove Albion supporters from rival fans was highlighted in a report from the GFSN last year that showed abuse was heard from over 72 per cent of opponents over the 2012/13 season.

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