JUST IN: “Football Authorities Issue Three-Year Exclusion Order to Crystal Palace Fan After Substantiated Allegations of Discriminatory Conduct at Brighton Fixture”

Sussex Police have announced that 58-year-old Jefferey Terry has been slapped with a three-year football banning order after displaying homophobic conduct at a Brighton match.

According to a police spokesperson, Terry was observed making offensive gestures during a clash between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. Positioned in the away supporters’ section, the 58-year-old directed his actions toward the home crowd.

On March 24, 2025, he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive language or behavior likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress—an offense aggravated by homophobia.

The police are publicizing this outcome to underscore the repercussions of such intolerable actions.

Terry, previously a carpet fitter from Windermere Road in Croydon, admitted the charge. The court heard that the incident took place on February 3, 2024, shortly after Brighton scored.

Seated close to the dividing line between fan sections, Terry’s gestures were recorded on CCTV, leading to his removal from the stadium and subsequent arrest.

During his police interview, he acknowledged that his behavior could be seen as homophobic and distressing to others.

Dedicated football officer PC Gregg Marshall commented, “This kind of abuse makes other fans feel unsafe at games and puts extra strain on staff and officers working to keep everyone secure.

Attitudes are shifting, and by confronting this behavior, we aim to make it clear that abuse has no place in football or our venues.”

Both Brighton and Hove Albion and the Football Association have established measures to combat homophobic chanting and address such incidents.

Terry’s ban limits his ability to attend matches, and he was also ordered to pay £300 in costs, a £270 fine, and a £108 surcharge.

On the day of the February 2024 fixture, police made seven arrests in total, with offenses ranging from assault and assaulting an emergency worker to affray and Public Order Act violations, including two additional cases aggravated by homophobia.