Arsenal fan banned indefinitely after yelling homophobic abuse
Luke Reece, 21, yelled homophobic abuse at Brighton fans in a match against Arsenal last October.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Pexels
**Correction**
Brighton and Hove Albion clarified after publication that the banned supporter was an Arsenal supporter, not a Brighton fan as originally reported here.
An Arsenal football fan has been banned indefinitely by Brighton and Hove Albion after being caught yelling homophobic abuse during a game.
Luke Reece, 21, was found to have yelled homophobic abuse at other Brighton fans in the club’s match against Arsenal on 2 October 2021.
He then attempted to leave knowing he’d been spotted and was stopped and later arrested, according to reports.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach”
Sky Sports reports that on Tuesday (5 April) Reece was convicted of indecent chanting at a Premier League match and will now serve a three years long football banning order.
He has also been fined and ordered to pay costs.
The news was welcomed by Brighton and Hove Albion who tweeted the news on Thursday (7 April)
A club spokesperson also said: “We have a zero-tolerance approach on all forms of anti-social behaviour, and this includes any form of abuse.
“We worked closely with Sussex Police to identify and prosecute the individual concerned and we welcome the guilty verdict from the courts. The individual will also be subject to an indefinite ban from the Amex.”
#BHAFC have welcomed the guilty verdict and a three-year banning order given to a fan who shouted homophobic abuse during the game against Arsenal in October 2021. 👇
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) April 7, 2022
Last year, the Olympic diver, Tom Daley, said it was fans keeping gay footballers in the closet, as opposed to other players.
Speaking to the Radio Times the former Attitude cover star said: “I don’t think the people in the teams will have any particular reaction to it. But you’ve seen how the England fans reacted to the Euros with racism and homophobia. I think it’s about being brave and being able to share your personal story.”
Josh Cavallo made headlines when he became the world’s only openly gay top-level professional footballer.
At the time he said when he was growing up, “being gay and playing football were just two worlds that hadn’t crossed paths before.”
Attitude’s new-look March/April issue is out now.
