It’s a 3-0 victory over homophobia as clubs and police clamp down

THERE was only a pocket of West Ham fans — around 30 at most.

But high in the Trevor Brooking Stand at the London Stadium they made their voices heard as they directed homophobic abuse towards the rival Brighton fans.

As the supporters from the South Coast filled their allotted section, the chants started. Along with the frequent gestures which were less than tasteful came the chants.

‘Does your boyfriend know you’re here?’ was among the most audible. Other gay slurs followed.

The decibel levels went up as the goals went in — and then the authorities acted.

Yes, Brighton fans gave as good as they got when it came to trading insults. Hand gestures in abundance between the two sets of supporters. But in the second half, the police stepped in as the taunts intensified in homophobic content.

Half a dozen police officers escorted one fan out and while there were calls to ‘let him go’ rather than ‘here we go’, the police were adamant he was out of the ground. And if a prosecution follows, that is likely to mean a criminal conviction.

That will have consequences professionally and personally — as one Brighton supporter pointed out. ‘It is nowhere near as bad,’ said Andy Bass, a regular Seagull follower. ‘And prosecutions have made a difference.’

The days of ‘out you go’ only for the offender to be back next week are gone. Cameras are everywhere and individuals can be pinpointed.

‘Clubs are adopting a zero tolerance policy and that has helped,’ said Bass. ‘I was in the lower section of the Trevor Brooking Stand and there was hardly any inter-action between the fans.

‘Yes, there were taunts, but nothing homophobic. Nothing at all.’

West Ham stewards were also impressively alert. After offender

one was taken out, there was a liaison between the stewards.

Once those who persisted in the homophobic slurs were identified, they were removed. Two more in fact, with one pleading his innocence. The cameras, however, rarely lie.

West Ham as a club do not tolerate that kind of behaviour and they will act after reports from police and stewards are received. That is certain.

‘Banter, that is normal,’ said Bass. ‘But Brighton have taken action against individuals and other clubs are doing the same now.’

Indeed, one Brighton fan had to serve an eight-week sentence after racial abuse of Tottenham players. The club insisted on prosecution.

‘More clubs are doing that,’ said Bass. ‘Yes, there are certain clubs where it is still a problem. But it is certainly less than it was say, two or three years ago.’

It is fair to say that West Ham fans were less than complimentary towards their counterparts after Brighton came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3. But after the police and stewards acted, the homophobia was less apparent. Far less apparent.

‘I think people are learning and the clubs have to take a lot of credit for that,’ said Bass. ‘I experienced nothing against West Ham like I had in the recent past.

It was certainly better than on my first visit here. A lot better.’

Verbal insults are tolerated. That will always be part and parcel of football and the authorities acknowledge that. But the clampdown on racist and homophobic abuse is working.

And the evidence was there at the London Stadium where the vast majority were able to express their passion and support — albeit with frequent industrial language — without a problem.

Clubs are not naïve. But verbal attacks on race or lifestyle choices are not tolerated.

There were three reluctant witnesses to that at the London Stadium.