Football fan banned after homophobic comment at Norwich City
It happened last year during a football game between Norwich City and Middlesbrough.
A man has received a three-year football banning order following a homophobic comment he made at a Norwich City football game.
The incident occurred on Saturday 12 November 2022 during a football game between Norwich City Football Club and Middlesborough Football Club, held at Carrow Road Football Stadium, Norwich.
A man was heard to have made homophobic comments during the game with officers receiving three reports about his language. The man was identified by officers and questioned at a later date.
As a result, Stavros Skapoullis, aged 57 and of New College Close, Gorleston was charged with using threatening/abusive words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Initially, Skapoullis was not issued an order. Following an appeal made by Police & CPS to the Crown Courts on 5 January 2024, a three-year football banning order was granted by Norwich Crown Court.
Football banning orders prevent the defendants from attending any regulated football match in England and Wales for a specified duration.
Dedicated Football Officer, PC Mathew Ewing said: “This particular case was sought for appeal at crown court and included evidence which supports the concerns associated with hate crime at football matches.
“It demonstrates that this type of language will not be tolerated. People who engage in such behaviour should be prepared to receive a football banning order which would undoubtedly affect their livelihood.
“People should to able to enjoy football matches without the fear or concern of any behaviour which might diminish that experience.”