A SOUTHAMPTON fan has been banned from football matches after hurling homophobic abuse at Albion supporters.

Former Southampton FC club shop worker Jonathan Coombs, 28, shouted “does your boyfriend know you’re here” and “f*** off you c***s” at Brighton and Hove Albion fans, as he watched his team play away at at The Amex.

He was arrested at the ground by police for a public order offence.

District Judge Tessa Szagun said she banned Coombs from football matches for three years to prevent him from causing violent disorder at future matches.

Brighton Magistrates Court heard the father-of-one yelled the obscenities at the game in which the Seagulls drew 1-1 with the Saints on Sunday October 29.

Josie Sonessa, defending Coombs, said he had resigned from his job at the club store at St Mary’s Stadium after his arrest was made public.

She told the court: “It was a brief incident he fully accepted in interview. He set out his remorse and said he had been under the influence of alcohol.

“It was very much a one off and he told me as a result of this his job at the Southampton FC club store was lost.

“In normal circumstances he would go to games with mum and dad, but on this occasion he went with his step brother and had been drinking for a significant period that day.

“His family are season ticket holders and would not dream of engaging in this conduct.

“He has a young daughter, aged two, and he is very much a family man, and is deeply embarrassed and apologises for his conduct.”

Coombs of Olive Road, Southampton, appeared in court in a Southampton hoodie and shirt. He pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Judge Tessa Szagun handed down a football banning order for three years.

It means Coombs is banned from all football grounds anywhere in the UK three hours before a match and three hours after.

He will have to surrender his passport to the police before any UK team plays abroad.

He will also be made to pay a £120 fine, £30 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

Southampton Football Club was contacted for comment.

The sentencing comes in the week six people were arrested following the Albion clash with Crystal Palace on Tuesday.