Published: 12 April, 2013

TONY Dallas asked last week why homophobic abuse directed at Brighton fans went unpunished, while Richard Osley mocked Chelsea’s fickle fans. Here’s what you think…

WHILE Tony Dallas is right to draw attention to homophobic abuse aimed at fans at football games, I’d like to ask why it should only be worthy of comment when it’s Brighton fans that suffer such a thing?

I recognise that Brighton fans have brought this to the public’s attention recently but it’s akin to only recognising religious abuse when it’s directed at Spurs fans. Are Brighton the only team to have gay fans? No. Are Spurs the only team to have religious fans? No.

Simply put, and as a 40-year Brighton fan, I’ve heard homophobic abuse directed at non-Albion fans by Brighton fans so, I ask you, does a town have to be well-known for a particular diversity strand before abuse becomes newsworthy?

Would ageist chanting be ok if aimed at Worthing FC or Eastbourne FC? Is any abuse acceptable? Again, it’s no!

Let’s stop looking at fans “suffering” abuse, and examine all levels of terrace chanting, whether it pinpoints a local demographic or not.

We need to wake up and examine all prejudices. Clubs need to examine their own fans’ attitudes and behaviour as much as they need to question the attitudes of others.

DAN AITCH, N19