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.
Stavros Skapoullis, of New College Close in Gorleston, was charged with using threatening and abusive words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
READ MORE: King Charles's football pitch vandalised at Dersingham
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.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here