NOTTINGHAM police have said that 'homophobic chants will not be tolerated' at this weekends home football match. The statement, issued ahead of this weekends Nottingham Forest verses Hove Albion FC game, is the first time the police force have made an official statement vowing to crackdown on homophobic taunts by fans. Supt Mark Holland said: 'We have been made aware that over the years Brighton and Hove Albion FC have had to put up with a small minority of people who have started or joined in with homophobic chants. 'Alongside the clubs we are taking a zero-tolerance approach to this type of verbal abuse and we will be taking positive action to identify anyone who is involved.' Nottingham Forest football ground currently offers a service, so that fans can report any kind of anti-social behavior - including homophobia - at the matches by anonymous text. But it's not the first time homophobia has been at the forefront of Notts Forest. | Justin Fashanu, who was one of the first openly gay football players in the UK, played for Nottingham Forest in 1981-94, and was often subject to taunts. Some of which came from Forest's 'legendary' manager Brian Clough, who allegedly called him "a bloody poof." Fashanu was arrested for allegations of a sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy 3 April 1998, and was found hanged in a lock-up garage on 3 May. According to gay rights activist, Peter Tatchell his suicide note denied all charges, and claimed he was being blackmailed by the 17-year-old. |
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