Football is one of the last refuges of homophobia – not least because the only thing necessary to succeed is to be able to kick a ball accurately. There are so many players who are just richer equivalents of the yobs in the stands: they are thuggish, ignorant, and ill-disciplined; and homophobic.

Until the various football authorities get strict about it, and managers follow through with proper control, things won’t change. And while so much money is involved it won’t change unless significant punishments (affecting game results) are imposed