Homophobic fans blasted as club faces sanctions

SOUTHPORT Football Club has issued a warning to supporters after homophobic abuse was reported to have taken place during a match over the weekend.

The club issued a statement over the weekend following their 5-0 defeat away to Chester FC on Saturday, February 5.

The club posted the statement on their website criticising fans who reportedly took part in “homophobic shouts” directed at the assistant referee. The club also raised the issue of smoke bombs and flares used in the crowd.

The club wrote shortly after the game: “Southport FC has previously made clear that there will be a zero-tolerance policy applied to flares/smoke bombs and racist or homophobic chants and abuse.

“Flares were let off during today’s game at Chester and the referee has also, unfortunately, informed us of homophobic shouts directed towards the assistant referee.

“We are working to, and confident of, identifying those responsible thanks to the assistance of the security personnel at Chester who have provided us with CCTV footage that covered all of the away section.

“We would invite those responsible to come forward to the club within the next 24 hours as otherwise we will take appropriate action based upon the footage received, together with witness evidence already obtained.

“Southport Football Club do not condone any form of anti-social behaviour and will have no hesitation in banning those responsible from Haig Avenue.”

In an updated statement published on Sunday, February 6, the club wrote: “Further to yesterday’s statement, we have received confirmation that the referee has included within his report to the FA, as we feared, reference to his having to stop the game to report inappropriate shouts aimed at the assistant referee.

“He has also included reference to a number of flares being set off in the Southport section of fans. This matter has also been reported to Cheshire Police.

“The club may face punishment as a result of these actions.

“Accordingly we would invite any fans involved to come forward to the club without delay.’’

‘‘If those involved do not, we will seek to identify them on the CCTV footage provided by Chester, and bans may follow.”

●●Match reports: P37 & P40