A FOOTBALL supporter has been fined and banned from attending matches for hurling homophobic abuse.

George Bradley was thrown out of Albion’s Amex stadium during a football match between the home side and Chelsea for homophobic behaviour.

He pleaded guilty to the offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Brighton Magistrates’ Court earlier today (Thursday, January 3).

The 20-year-old has been fined £965 and banned from attending football matches for three years.

A spokesman for Brighton & Hove Albion said: “We would like to thank Sussex Police for their assistance in dealing with this unsavoury incident, and we are very pleased with the outcome.

“It underlines both their and our commitment to a zero tolerance policy on any form of abuse from those attending matches at the Amex.

“We would remind all fans that we will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour at the stadium and will always take the strongest possible action.”

On behalf of Sussex Police, football policing officer Darren Balkham added, “This was a great example of the stewarding and policing operation at the stadium taking action when incidents occur.

“Mr Bradley pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and accepted his behaviour was not acceptable and this was recognised by the court.

“I would urge any supporter attending the Amex to report these incidents to either a steward or police officer to allow us to take action at the time.”

Following the game on December 16, there was also a report received by British Transport Police that three Chelsea fans were spoken to after alleged anti-Semitic chants on board a train from Falmer to Brighton.