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Colin Kazim-Richards guilty over homophobic gesture Colin Kazim-Richards guilty over homophobic gesture
(35 minutes later)
A footballer who made a homophobic gesture to Brighton and Hove Albion fans has been found guilty.A footballer who made a homophobic gesture to Brighton and Hove Albion fans has been found guilty.
Colin Kazim-Richards mimicked pulling his shorts down and put his left arm behind his bottom at the match last February, Brighton magistrates heard.Colin Kazim-Richards mimicked pulling his shorts down and put his left arm behind his bottom at the match last February, Brighton magistrates heard.
Kazim-Richards, 27, who was playing for Blackburn Rovers at the time, claimed he was "having a bit of banter" with fans who he said were abusing him.Kazim-Richards, 27, who was playing for Blackburn Rovers at the time, claimed he was "having a bit of banter" with fans who he said were abusing him.
But he was convicted of using abusive or insulting behaviour. But he was convicted of using abusive or insulting behaviour and fined £750.
Kazim-Richards committed the offence while playing on loan for Blackburn against Brighton, his former club, in a Championship match on 12 February 2013.Kazim-Richards committed the offence while playing on loan for Blackburn against Brighton, his former club, in a Championship match on 12 February 2013.
The court heard he was targeted by fans with the chant "you're fat and you know you are".The court heard he was targeted by fans with the chant "you're fat and you know you are".
'Offensive and homophobic''Offensive and homophobic'
The player told magistrates he had been prepared for the banter on his return to the Amex stadium and said he had been "interacting with the fans" when he made the gesture behind his back. The player told magistrates he had been prepared for the banter and said he had been "interacting with the fans" when he made the gesture behind his back.
"I was basically doing what they were doing to me," the footballer said. "I was basically doing what they were doing to me," said the footballer, who now plays in Turkey for Bursaspor.
A father and son who were working as match-day press stewards told the court they saw Kazim-Richards make the gesture more than once and they had found it offensive and homophobic.A father and son who were working as match-day press stewards told the court they saw Kazim-Richards make the gesture more than once and they had found it offensive and homophobic.
The footballer had denied one count of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within the sight or hearing of a person, likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Kazim-Richards, who now plays in Turkey for Bursaspor, will be sentenced later.
In 2013 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said "positive action" would be taken when behaviour in football was regarded as offensive.In 2013 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said "positive action" would be taken when behaviour in football was regarded as offensive.
The CPS said Brighton fans had been subjected to homophobic abuse at more than 70% of away games during the 2012-13 season.The CPS said Brighton fans had been subjected to homophobic abuse at more than 70% of away games during the 2012-13 season.
Brighton and Hove Albion Supporters' Club said homophobic abuse was aimed at Brighton fans because the city was viewed by some as a "gay capital".Brighton and Hove Albion Supporters' Club said homophobic abuse was aimed at Brighton fans because the city was viewed by some as a "gay capital".
Kazim-Richards, who had denied using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, was also ordered to pay £620 court costs and a £75 victim surcharge.