Two football fans have received multi-year bans for their involvement in separate incidents of homophobic abuse during football matches. The incidents have resulted in increasing calls to crackdown on homophobic behaviour in the sport.
In Bournemouth, 47-year-old Paul Bignell was fined and sentenced to a four-year ban from attending football matches in the UK. During an AFC Bournemouth v AFC Millwall match in May 2022, Bignell was witnessed hurling homophobic abuse towards Bournemouth fans. After he began directing abuse towards a female steward who challenged him, officials notified Dorset police, who subsequently arrested Bignell. He was found guilty of intent to cause harassment, alarm and distress, and sentenced on Friday (28 April).
Similarly, in Brighton, Nottingham Forest fan James Grainger-Brown was charged with similar offences after he hurled homophobic abuse at away supporters during an October 2022 friendly between Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest. The 30-year-old was arrested by on-site officials after his abusive comments were reported to club stewards at the Amex Stadium. In court, he admitted to using offensive words likely to cause distress, which prosecutors told the court were aggravated by homophobia. Grainger-Brown was ordered to pay a fine of £100, plus a £40 surcharge and £85 in costs, and is barred from attending UK football matches for three years.
These incidents come in the wake of the Football Association’s (FA) efforts to eradicate bigoted rhetoric and chants during FA matches. In January, Nottingham Forest fans sparked controversy for using the offensive “Chelsea Rent Boy” chant towards opposition supporters during a friendly game. Manchester United fans used the chant again during another January game, this time against Chelsea manager Frank Lampard. In response, the FA announced sanctions against any clubs whose fans use the chant during FA football matches, and informed clubs that the chant is now considered a breach of FA rules.
The FA has also condemned homophobic abuse hurled towards football fans and players. Lead prosecutor Douglas Mackay warned that those intending to hurl homophobic abuse at football matches should “expect to be prosecuted and be banned from watching the sport live.” He added that abuse and homophobia exclude fans from enjoying the game and that football is an inclusive sport with no place for homophobic abuse in stadiums.
As a result of these incidents, the FA is working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the UK Football Policing Unit to address the issue. The football association remains determined to drive out homophobic behaviour in the sport and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all fans.