Man receives four-year ban following homophobia at football match

A man who shouted homophobic comments towards a match official at a Northampton Town match has been handed a four-year banning order.

Gary Lee Ross, 51, of Ashby Road, Daventry, attended the EFL League Two fixture between the Cobblers and Cheltenham Town at Sixfields Stadium on December 29, 2019.

During the game, one of the match officials made a decision Ross disagreed with and as a result, he shouted homophobic comments towards him.

These were then reported to the police and Ross was arrested on suspicion of using abusive words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was subsequently charged and at Northampton Magistrates’ Court last week (February 11), he pleaded guilty and was handed a four-year banning order and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £342.

Football Officer for Northamptonshire Police – PC Chris Brooks-Payne, said: “Gary Lee Ross is the type of person real football fans don’t want at their games because they take away from the enjoyment of the match.

“There is no place in football for homophobia and we are really pleased that people felt able to report this incident to the police so action could be taken.

“I hope Ross spends his time away from live football reflecting on his attitudes and makes the decision to upgrade them to the 21^st century.”