Burnley FC issues new appeal over homophobic chants at Brighton game

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Burnley Football Club has requested help to identify fans that were caught on camera making homophobic chants during a match against Brighton and Hove Albion last August.

The club issued the request following broadcast of last night’s Channel 4’s Dispatches programme on homophobia in football.

On their website Burnley carried images from the programme and issued the following statement: “Burnley Football Club was extremely disappointed to appear in Channel 4’s Dispatches programme on Monday, March 3, 2014, highlighting discriminatory and offensive behaviour at professional football matches in England.

“The club was featured at our away game at Brighton and Hove Albion this season, where a small minority of supporters were filmed making homophobic chants at home supporters.

“Burnley Football Club’s Board of Directors, players and staff, along with the people of Burnley, reject all forms of discrimination.

“We pledge to tackle discrimination in all forms and make Turf Moor a safe and welcoming place for all. This information is included in the Customer Charter on the official club website.”

Andy Holt, the most senior police officer responsible for policing football in England said the Dispatches programme showed a lot more needed to be done in reducing homophobia on the terraces.

Yesterday, Minister for Sport and Equalities Helen Grant said: “we must do all we can to tackle any sort of discrimination in the game”.

She was responding to news that 15 out of 20 Premier League clubs are now supporting the Football v Homophobia campaign, along with the majority league clubs.