Norwich City fan gets three-year ban for homophobic comment

Action from Norwich City's 2-1 Championship loss to Middlesbrough at Carrow Road on November 12, 2022 <i>(Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images)</i>
Action from Norwich City's 2-1 Championship loss to Middlesbrough at Carrow Road on November 12, 2022 (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images)
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A 57-year-old man has received a three-year football ban after making a homophobic comment at a Norwich City match.

The incident occurred during City's 2-1 Championship defeat to Middlesbrough at Carrow Road in November 2022, when the visitors scored a late winner.

A man was heard to have made homophobic comments, with police officers receiving three reports about his language.

READ MORE: Canaries fan aimed racist abuse at Leicester player

The man, understood to be a Canaries supporter, was then identified and questioned at a later date.

Norwich Evening News: A three-year football banning order was granted by Norwich Crown CourtA three-year football banning order was granted by Norwich Crown Court (Image: Archant)

Stavros Skapoullis, of New College Close in Gorleston, was charged with using threatening and abusive words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

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Following an appeal made by the police and Crown Prosecution Service on January 5, 2024, a three-year football banning order was granted by Norwich Crown Court.

Dedicated football officer, PC Mathew Ewing, said: “People who engage in such behaviour should be prepared to receive a football banning order which would undoubtedly affect their livelihood."

He added: “People should be able to enjoy football matches without the fear or concern of any behaviour which might diminish that experience.”

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