A number of fans have took to contact police after an incident caught on video following the Nottingham Forest v Brighton on Saturday.
Twitter user Danny Dichio tweeted: “Some interesting homophobic fans you have here @NFFC @OfficialBHAFC @NorthStandChat #BHAFC #NFFC.”
This led to a number of accounts tagging PC Darren Balkham @suspolbhafc and NottsPolice Football @NottPolFootball.
Forest Fans Getting Rattled By The Brighton Fans At Fulltime Today.🥴#BHAFC #NFFC pic.twitter.com/rrus6TgoYo
— Away_.Ends (@Away_Endss) November 25, 2023
Brighton managed to end a six-game winless run by beating Nottingham Forest 3-2 and De Zerbi showed after the final whistle just how much it meant to him.
Anthony Elanga had put Forest ahead early on before Evan Ferguson grabbed an equaliser.
Joao Pedro then netted either side of the break, but Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back after Lewis Dunk was handed a bizarre red card.
Player ratings
Nottingham Forest: Vlachodimos (6); Aina (6), Niakhate (5), Murillo (6), Toffolo (6); Mangala (6), Dominguez (5), Danilo (6); Elanga (7), Wood (5), Gibbs-White (7)
Subs: Hudson-Odoi (7), Origi (7), Yates (5), Williams (n/a)
Brighton: Verbruggen (7); Veltman (6), Van Hecke (7), Dunk (7), Lamptey (5); Gilmour (6), Gross (8), Lallana (6); Adingra (6), Ferguson (7), Fati (6)
Subs: Pedro (8), Hinshelwood (5), Buonanotte (6), Baleba (n/a), Moder (n/a)
Man of the match: Joao Pedro (Brighton)
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It [the result] was a big emotion; we are suffering too much, we have too many injuries, we lost four points against Sheffield United and Fulham at home. To win is difficult; my celebration is because we are suffering too much at the moment.
“We want to celebrate with our fans. If you have the right attitude, you win the game. It is difficult to explain [the injuries]; we are not used to playing so many games. I don’t know the reason; we are working well in the week, managing well. Maybe it is not enough,
“My work is to understand and anayse the players I can use and change tactical disposition. We never change our ideas, but I have to put my players in the best condition. We played a great game today until the red card. One of the best of the season.
“Lewis Dunk made a mistake. Maybe he’s like his gaffer in terms of emotion and passion!”
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We have loads of frustrations. First half, after a great start, we didn’t play well enough with the ball. Then we conceded two goals, they played through us.
“We were way beyond the levels we can play at. There was an opportunity to play. Second half was more positive, we had more intent. I just think if he gives that penalty, he’s got to give so many. The fact he’s seen that in open play and not seen ours, needing VAR, sums up where refereeing is at. He is number one, apparently.
“I’m trying to be in the supportive camp, but then we see that. We’ve not played well enough, but having got momentum, to see a decision like that is not easy. We kept going and we knew we’d get chances with their red card. We haven’t made the most of it, A real mixed bag in terms of the result. We’ve got to look at ourselves, but Anthony [Taylor[ has done what he’s done.
“It is a contact game; we are in the box. It is the second or third phase from a set piece. Okay, lots of penalties will have to be given. Then he doesn’t give the one which is overturned. We need to play better than that first half, but that and the number one ref in the country are our frustration.”
The alleged incident at the City Ground on Saturday comes just two days after the FA fined Luton Town ÂŁ120,000 and issued them with a two-year action plan after homophobic chanting by fans at Brighton on the opening day of the season.
The Hatters accepted the charge handed to them and said that any supporters that are identified will be banned by the club.
An FA statement said: “An independent regulatory commission has imposed an action plan and £120,000 fine on Luton Town for misconduct in relation to crowd control at their game against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday 12 August.
“Luton Town admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and do not use words or otherwise behave in a way which is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent or insulting with either express or implied reference to sexual orientation.”
Luton meanwhile say they are “an inclusive, family-oriented club” which “abhors abusive chanting such as this and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of all kinds”, and that they would continue to promote the “Love Football. Protect The Game” campaign, adding: “Those involved were committing a criminal offence and anyone subsequently identified will be issued with a club ban and face potential police investigation.
“Luton Town has worked with supporters in recent seasons to help form the Rainbow Hatters supporters’ group for members of the LGBTQ+ community who meet regularly to share their experiences of watching the Hatters.
“We will work further with supporter groups to educate and inform on all forms of discriminatory acts to ensure that watching Luton Town is a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.”
Twitter users gave their thoughts as fans contact police after an incident from the stands, caught on video, following Nottingham Forest v Brighton…
@palacephilboy: As a Palace fan I can confirm that Forest fans are the best I’ve seen this year, every club had a few knobs tbf.
@DanielD38252620: Oh absolutely agree, I’m sure there’s many in our fan base too! It was easily the best atmosphere I’ve experienced from a home crowd since we came up. Other than these fake jacket wearing tits, everyone else was welcoming as ever!
@scott1529: ‘Outside’ always gets me… What, we have fistycuffs?
@elliottbower: Naturally as a Forest fan I don’t condone this and you have every right to celebrate your victory because it was well earned. Hope you have a safe journey back and all the best the rest of the season. 🙏
@Overthegiantree: I can only apologise on behalf of our fans
@mgh0406: Another big fine coming.
@jimmoriarty81: Apologies on their behalf. We’re mostly better than that
@mwrgeography: That’s disgusting behaviour. As a Forest fan I promise you most of us are not like that. Sorry you experienced that at our ground.
@warf_danny: State of this lot 🤣🤣🤣
@DeliverooFan: It’s 2023, how is there still homophobia in football? Bet they all have relatives or friends who are part of this community too, yet they act like this? Pathetic and disgusting #bhafc
@IRDavies90: Whoever you are, you’re an imbecile. Hope it’s worth not seeing #nffc for a while…
@Nath_1878: Absolute no place for any homophobic chanting/gesturing at footy games. No need and very childish. Wouldn’t catch me doing something like that.
Shouts of “bum boys”, homophobic gestures and being called a gay prick and threatened by another fan. My experience at @nffc today @PrideinFootball @Proud_Forest
— Peter Davey (@PeteDavey88) November 25, 2023
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